P_Lee_Barzal_Eberle_Celebration

Four games is a relatively small sample size, but the early returns on the Islanders new-look top line of Anders Lee-Mathew Barzal-Jordan Eberle have been promising.
Lee has goals in four straight - albeit not all coming alongside Barzal and Eberle at even strength - Barzal has three assists and Eberle has one goal. It's solid production for a newly-crafted unit, but the number of points could even be higher given the amount of quality chances the line has created since being assembled last Monday.

"We've laid a pretty good foundation these last six periods of what we want to do and how we want to do it," Lee said after Thursday's 2-1 win over Montreal. "It's exciting that we've got that good start to play off of. [Eberle] is playing some good hockey and so is Barzy. We're just clicking and trying to go forward every shift."

Lee and Barzal's two-on-one put an exclamation point on Thursday's 2-1 win over Montreal, with Barzal rushing the puck up the ice and showing great patience before sliding the puck through Jeff Petry's legs to Lee.
Barzal had another slick setup in Sunday's 3-2 OT win over Minnesota, stripping Wild forward Jordan Greenway cutting to the middle and feeding Eberle, who outwaited Alex Stalock before going five-hole for Eberle's first goal since Feb. 9.
For a pair of goal scorers, playing alongside Barzal means the chances are bound to come.
"You play with Barzy enough you know you have to be ready for passes," Eberle said. "He's going to find you, he's an elite passer. Always be ready."
The new-look top line has created a bevy of chances over the past four games. Eberle and Lee generated a two-on-one rush vs Columbus, while Barzal rang a shot off the iron against the Canadiens and was denied on a third period breakaway vs the Wild. Choppy ice disrupted some quality looks against the Red Wings, as did a wizardly 41-save performance from Jonathan Bernier.
So while Barzal, who matched a season-high with eight shots against Detroit, hasn't found the back of the net in 14 games, he's comfortable with his contributions and where his game is at.
"The last three or four games have been some of my best," Barzal said after Saturday's 2-1 loss in Detroit, when asked to assess his game.

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      NYI@MIN: Barzal sets up Eberle after stealing puck

      Barzal and Eberle were an effective duo last season, so the muscle memory has kicked in since being reunited. It's the addition of Lee, the "king of tipping pucks" according to Barzal, that has provided a different dynamic to the line. Barzal and Eberle both attest that Lee draws enough attention down low to free up space for them in the zone. Independently, they both added that Lee's touch-and-go game doesn't get enough credit either.
      "They are a good compliment," Head Coach Barry Trotz said after Sunday's game. "A couple of skill guys, obviously Barzy has the jets and Leesy has the strength down low and net presence. They've had lots of chances the last couple of games and they've been pretty effective."
      The Islanders have won three of their last four games
      returning to their defensive identity
      , but the new line has sparked production for the team's leading goal scorer and playmaker. The key now, is to continue building off that foundation.
      "When we were in the o-zone, I thought we created some good looks," Barzal said on Sunday. "I thought we could have had a couple more. It's just battling, working hard and then I think the chemistry is really coming."