OTTAWA — Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer discussed his approach to lineup changes following the team's 2-1 shootout loss to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday. After the game, he indicated that players' performance influenced his decisions, particularly regarding forwards Calum Ritchie and Anthony Duclair, who were moved to the fourth line.
"Well, he wasn’t the only one," DeBoer said when asked about Ritchie. "There was a group of guys there that fell out. The players make those decisions for me. I don’t make those decisions on how they play during the game. You know what, we had some puck management issues at different points. We took some penalties, which you can’t do on the road. Guys make those decisions when we get into those situations."
Ritchie had only two shifts in the third period, sitting for the final 11:30 of the game, while Duclair took four shifts and sat for the last 9:25. Both players had taken penalties in the second period. Defenseman Matt Kessel also did not play for the last 12:30.
Emil Heineman and Simon Holmstrom, who began the game as wingers on the fourth line, were moved up to the second and third lines, respectively. DeBoer explained that his in-game lineup changes are partly due to his ongoing process of getting to know the team.
"I’m still getting to know this group," DeBoer said. "I haven’t been with these guys for two or three years where a coach that has that experience with a group ... that’s had success with certain line combinations over a long period of time, maybe gives a little more runway. That’s not the case here. I’m still getting to know this group, everybody’s trying to show me where they fit and what they’re capable of doing."
The Islanders won all 10 of their games that ended in overtime last season but have struggled in shootouts. This trend continued in the recent game, as Brayden Schenn, Bo Horvat, and Simon Holmstrom all failed to convert their shootout chances. Additionally, Mat Barzal (left kneecap inflammation) did not travel with the team for this game.