Tampa Bay has effectively shut down New York center Mathew Barzal and linemates Anders Lee and Jordan Eberle for most of the series, so much so that Islanders coach Barry Trotz said he's considering shuffling lines.
Barzal, a dynamic playmaker, has two assists in the series. Lee and Eberle have each gone three straight games without a point.
"I think it's a collective effort," Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh said. "Every time you start a series, you identify their top lines, their top players. We did that a little bit, but I think with this Islanders team, it's every line could be a difference maker for them on any given night.
" … But we're trying to do it collectively here. Make it tough on [Barzal], take away his time and just not let him gain that momentum, feel good about himself. We need to continue to do that here, right from puck drop and not let them get any momentum within their game."
