Barzal continues stellar rookie season

The Islanders are getting exactly what they wanted from rookie Mathew Barzal.

The 20-year-old center has quickly settled in between Jordan Eberle and Andrew Ladd on the team’s second line and played well in the Islanders’ 6-4 win over the Hurricanes on Thursday night at Barclays Center. The former firstround pick scored the game’s first goal and collected two assists.

He is second among all rookies with 17 points, one behind Coyotes center Clayton Keller (18).

“Having the opportunity to play with Eberle and Ladd and playing more minutes helps build confidence. I’m just really happy the coaching staff trusts me,” Barzal said.

While he’s being mentioned in early NHL rookie of the year talk, Barzal said he is taking all the talk with “a grain of salt.”

“There are some really good players in this rookie class,” he said. “I’m just trying to help this team and make an impact.”

His play is something coach Doug Weight applauded Thursday, saying he’s been impressed with the changes Barzal’s made in the last year. The rookie made the opening-day roster last season, but played just two games before he spent the remainder of the season with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL.

So far this season, he’s been the spark that the Islanders expected.

“We need Barzy on a nightly basis to bring it,” Weight said. “It’s been a good first 18 games for him.”

Josh Ho-Sang’s emergency recall from Bridgeport was terminated and changed to a regular recall before the game. The change in the flashy winger’s status means he can stay with the Islanders for however long they see fit.