Isles Day to Day: Practice Updates March 29

The New York Islanders hit the ice for practice on Friday afternoon in Tampa Bay after Thursday's gritty 3-2 win over the Florida Panthers.

Semyon Varlamov made 26 saves in the victory and Head Coach Patrick Roy felt he's earned the opportunity to start against the Lightning on Saturday, where the Isles face another tough test as their road trip continues.

"He looks really sharp," Roy said on Friday. "He played really well [on Thursday] and I thought he deserves the start tomorrow."

Varlamov is 3-0-1 in his last four starts. He has not started consecutive games since Jan. 25 and 27.

Mathew Barzal set a career high in goals with his 23rd tally of the season on Thursday, surpassing his previous career high of 22 goals in 2017-18. Heeding his coach's advice of driving to the net, Barzal has thrived under Head Coach Patrick Roy. He recorded 28 points (11G, 17A) in 27 games since the coaching change, which leads the team over that span.

"At the end of the day, at this point of the year it's not really about those kind of [personal] numbers, we're fighting for wins," Barzal said. "I'm just happy that I've been able to score and contribute that way."

After starting at right wing all season, Barzal has played at center for his last four games, recording five points (3G, 2A) over that span.

"I'm trying to create wherever I'm at," Barzal said on Friday. "I feel comfortable with both positions."

The Islanders debuted some new look lines in Friday's practice. Roy elevated Casey Cizikas to a line with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. The center contributed two-assists against the Panthers on Thursday.

"He brings a lot of intensity to the line," Roy said. "I love his energy, basically energy is one thing and I think it's contagious."

Bo Horvat shifted to wing on a line with Pierre Engvall and JG Pageau. Horvat has played at center for his entire 10-year career - and admittedly hasn't played wing since his junior days in the OHL for the London Knights - but explained that the transition from center to wing isn't drastic.

"It's not a crazy adjustment," Horvat said. "Maybe positioning off face offs and stuff like that I'll have to ask questions, but for the most part, it's just going out there and playing."

Roy has been tinkering with his lines often over the course of the last nine games, where the Isles went 2-6-1 over that span. The response from his group has been resoundingly positive with a focus on the collective effort.

"I'm just trying to do whatever I can to help the team win," Horvat said. "If they have me at center, wing, D... throw me in net, I don't care. As long as we get wins, that's all that matters."