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Mathew Barzal set another milestone on Thursday, and by doing so, put his name in the same realm as a couple New York Islanders legends.
The rookie forward has a long way to go before he achieves legendary Islanders status Bryan Trottier and Mike Bossy, but he took one step (of several this season) toward that mark with his 60th point.
Barzal is first #Isles rookie to hit 60 points in 40 years!
— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) February 16, 2018
Trottier 95-Bossy 91 and Barzal 60 #Isles
Barzal’s assist on Josh Bailey’s snipe on the power play in the first period against the New York Rangers, passing David Volek’s 59 points during the 1988-89 season and putting Barzal alone in third place for most points by and Islanders rookie.
Mathew Barzal's assist tonight is his 60th point of 2017-18. He passes David Volek (1988-89) for the 3rd most in a season by a rookie with the @NYIslanders
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) February 16, 2018
Barzal now leads Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser by 11 points in the rookie scoring race (with Boeser set to play later on Thursday).
Catching Trottier’s 95 points won’t come easy, if it’s possible at all. Barzal currently has 60 points in 59 games, which would see him finish in the mid-80s.
Obviously, that wouldn’t be anything to balk at, but he’ll need a few more five-point nights to get him on Trottier’s pace. Trottier had 95 in 80 games, for what it’s worth.
Bossy, who sits in second, finished with 91 in 73 games.
Mat Barzal is ridiculous pic.twitter.com/6gSPxNVOEd
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) February 16, 2018
UPDATE No. 1: Barzal has another assist and point No. 61.
UPDATE No. 2: Barzal has a hat trick of assists and his 62nd point.
In 2 games and 2+ periods against the #NYR, Barzal is 3-6-9.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) February 16, 2018
Scott Billeck is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @scottbilleck