 TORONTO AP - Mathew Barzal can appreciate how the New York Islanders identity is built around being defensively sound. In centering New Yorks top line, Barzal also knows its his role to contribute on offense, too. Acknowledging it took him a few games to find a groove following the NHLs 4 12 month coronavirus-forced pause, Barzal was pleased to finally contribute at both ends in a 5-1 preliminary round series-clinching win over the Florida Panthers on Friday. We had some chances, our line, unfortunately we didnt get any buries last game, Barzal said. We hadnt been scored on all series, but at the end of the day, were out there to create offense. And it was nice to get a couple. Barzal scored on a third-period breakaway and made a nifty pass to set up Anthony Beauvilliers eventual game-winning goal in the first period in helping the Islanders win Game 4 of their best-of-five series. The win advanced the Eastern Conferences seventh-seeded Isles to the best-of-seven first round, which theyll open next week against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. The first few games, at least for myself, it was kind of adapt. I almost forgot how hard it is to score and get to the net, he said. I think it took me a game or two to get that touch and feel back. I feel like I found it a bit tonight. Thats encouraging news for the Islanders, who had Beauvillier and Jean-Gabriel Pageau score three each and account for nearly half of New Yorks 13-goal output during the series. Not in question was New Yorks stingy defense. The Panthers, who ranked sixth in the NHL in averaging 3.3 goals in the regular season, scored just seven goals - and only three in even-strength situations. We all know as a group the style of our play... 