Lee, Barzal, Eberle Picking Up Where They Left Off

It had been nearly four months and a full change of seasons since Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle had so much as sat in the same room together let alone skated on the same ice. But even with that extended time apart, the line has seemingly picked up right where they left off during Islanders Training Camp.

"The chemistry is there," Eberle said to reporters via Zoom on Monday afternoon. "We've played with each other quite a bit. We know where each other is going to be on the ice. I think when you've had that time and developed that chemistry over time, it's something that doesn't really leave."
Head Coach Barry Trotz has experimented with some new line combinations, but not for Lee, Barzal and Eberle. The trio are one of the few lines who have stayed together from the first day of camp and are building off of a previously established foundation that was ramping up momentum prior to the NHL's pause on March 12.
ISLANDERS TRAINING CAMP
TRAINING CAMP ARTICLES
Isles DTD: Training Camp Day 10
Beauvillier Back in Business
Dobson Diligent During Pause
Isles Depth A Strength
Isles-Panthers Broadcast Schedule
Return to Play FAQ
Training Camp Roster
TRAINING CAMP VIDEO
Barry Trotz Zoom Call 7/23
Boychuk, Cizikas, Ladd Zoom Call
Eberle, Johnston, Nelson Zoom Call
Sunday Scrimmage Highlights
Dobson, Greene, Beauvillier Zoom Call
Barzal, Brassard, Pageau Zoom Call
Martin, Pulock, Toews, Greiss Zoom Call
Lee Zoom Call
The electric, yet complex dynamic of the line is a complement to each their distinct roles. Their assorted styles of play with an overlap in approaches to the game have engineered a precise equilibrium of power and finesse, creativity and production. It's a synergy that has clicked for a total of 217 games played and logged a staggering grand total 1138:43 of time on ice together in all situations, according to Natural Stat Trick's line tool.
"If you watch our line on a good night, it's pretty simple," Eberle explained prior to the pause. "Barzy and I are the ones that are darting in and out trying to find loose pucks or make plays up top and Leezy is really battling low and holding guys off. Leezy definitely has that compliment in that side of his game that [Barzal and I] can't do - and that's creating space in front of the net and using his big body."
For Barzal, all but two of his 234 NHL-career games have featured either Eberle or Lee on his side. Since Eberle's arrival on the Island during the summer of 2017, he's predominantly skated on the right wing of Barzal.
At their core, both Barzal and Eberle are instinctual and highly-intelligent playmakers. They each carry a diverse toolset.
On the fly, Eberle feeds off of Barzal's explosive speed and edge-work. The winger counterbalances Barzal's drive with his own shifty puck handling and quick shimmys. As a tangent, Barzal has assisted on 37 of Eberle's 64-career goals as an Islander, regular season and playoffs combined.

Down low, Lee opens up time and space for his agile linemates to work their magic. All the while, he takes a beating in the lower back from cross-checks trying to force him out of the opponent's crease. The chippy efforts are never enough to derail him from the opportunity to pounce on a shot headed his way. The Islanders captain has dominantly distinguished himself as one of the most elite re-directors of the puck across the league.
"I don't think Lee gets enough credit for how skilled he is too," Eberle said. "Leezy is one of the best in the league at holding onto pucks and bullying guys in front of the net. He's able to make plays and he's a big finisher."
When the line is at its best, the strengths of all three individuals are in-sync. Their differing personalities are bonded by their intense appetites for success which translates on the ice. And despite a seven-year age difference between Barzal (23) and 30-year-olds, Lee and Eberle, the threesome have established a tight-knit and rather candid rapport.
"We have a great little relationship between the three of us," Barzal said. "We're all really close, we all joke around with each other and try to have fun with it. On the road, we're always hanging out in each other's rooms."
"That's what makes us a good line too is that we're able to communicate pretty honestly with each other," Eberle added. "We'll yell at each other, it's some harsh words at times. We're just trying to get on the same page and most importantly, we're just trying to make each other better. We've set that expectation."

Leading up to the pause, the Lee-Barzal-Eberle line was picking up steam. The line had combined for 32 points in their last 10 games.
Lee was riding the hot hand with a three-game point streak (1G, 2A) and had racked up 10 points (3G, 7A) in seven of his last 10 games. Barzal had compiled four points (1G, 3A) in two of his last three games and 12 points (1G, 11A) in seven of his last 10 games. Eberle scored in what would end up being the Isles last game of the regular season against Vancouver on March 10 and had tallied 10 points (6G, 4A) in eight of his last 10 games.
They each finished the regular season ranked top-five in points among the team. Barzal was the team leader with his 60 points (19G, 41A) and suited up in all 68 of the Islanders games. Lee ranked third with his 43 points (20G, 23A) through 68 games, while Eberle still finished fifth in scoring with 40 points (16G, 24A) despite missing 10 games early in the season due to a lower-body injury.
Collectively, they set a pretty high bar for themselves during last year's Stanley Cup Playoff run as they combined for a total of 20 points (7G, 13A) in eight games.
Eberle lit the lamp in each of the Islanders four-game series-sweep over Pittsburgh in the First Round and added five assists during the total stretch. Barzal made a splash in his first taste of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with seven points (2G, 5A) while Lee ended the run with five points (1G, 3A).

On Monday's Zoom call, Eberle was quick to point out that despite their line's dominant performances within intrasquad scrimmages, he believes he and his linemates still need to find another level and continue building their individual games. Thus far in training camp, the line has thoroughly impressed Head Coach Barry Trotz and his staff with their preparedness and energized offense.
With the first real taste of game action just under a week away against the Rangers in an exhibition game, Trotz and the line know that will be their final tune-up opportunity before the real fun begins.
"They're getting lots of chances," Trotz said. "[Eberle] is probably right about [taking their games to the next level]. They're all skating really well. They've been stoned on a couple of chances. At the same time, they are creating. I think they've been pretty dynamic as a group. They're going pretty good and they're gelling. I'm happy from all three of those guys on the line."