Trotz: Barzal benched vs. Rangers for putting individual play ahead of team

New York Islanders star Mathew Barzal was benched for the majority of the third period of Tuesday's contest versus the New York Rangers for putting individual play ahead of the team, head coach Barry Trotz confirmed, per The Athletic's Arthur Staple.

Barzal had one 40 second shift in the final frame, and he sat for nearly 18 minutes as the Isles secured a 4-2 victory over their in-state rivals.

The 22-year-old had two assists in the first half of the game and drew some eyeballs on the highlight reel for a through-the-legs attempt that was thwarted by Rangers netminder Alexandar Georgiev.

He tried it pic.twitter.com/aJWD6ZSTF7

- NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) January 22, 2020

The benching doesn't appear to be any sort of grand controversy, as Trotz said he was "ecstatic" the club secured two points in its final game before a break that extends until Feb. 1.

Barzal's recorded 42 points in 49 games this season, and he's headed to St. Louis for the All-Star Game this weekend.

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