Pittsburgh Penguins star Kris Letang went off on Wednesday night against Mathew Barzal and the New York Islanders. In fact, Letang's performance made history never seen in the NHL before. In total, the veteran blueliner recorded six assists as Pittsburgh defeated New York on Long Island.
After the game, Barzal spoke with reporters for his postgame media availability. And he had a perfect summarization of the performance the Islanders gave on Wednesday night. “Just brutal,” he said, via Newsday reporter Andrew Gross.
The Islanders star went on to say that he did not believe the team's energy level was not at fault. “I think if you looked at our first period, we were fine,” Mathew Barzal said, via SNY Islanders. “My line could have had two in the first, and I thought everyone was kind of moving. Just a weird lull in the second that obviously cost us the game.”
Mathew Barzal, Islanders turn in “unacceptable” performance against Kris Letang, Penguins
Barzal went on to acknowledge the fans that packed UBS Arena in New York. They showed up to support their team after the Christmas holiday, but watched them be picked apart by a division rival. For Barzal, that just can't happen.
“Sold out rink like that tonight in front of our fans, it's unacceptable. We've got a game in two days that we'll be ready for and put on a better show for them,” the Islanders star said on Wednesday, via SNY Islanders.
The game Barzal referred to is a huge one for New York. They remain home on Friday night as they play host to the Washington Capitals. Washington sits in fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. However, they are just two points back of the Islanders for second place. Let's see if New York turns in a better effort in what should be a very intense game.