"It's never easy right now because everybody's playing so well, Roy said as to why Duclair was scratched. But having Ritchie back and putting him in the middle, it was just a decision thinking OK, let's try this.' And then we'll see how it goes. But nothing there other than that we wanted to go with the guys who are in the lieup tonight."
"Duclair's benchings have been predicated on an inability to fulfill his defensive duties. He failed to backcheck on a late second-period Buffalo Sabres goal in transition in a 5-0 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 24, which resulted in him and his linemates, Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, being benched for the entire third period. On Tuesday, he failed to track Anthony Mantha in front of Ilya Sorokin's net,"
"and the Penguins' forward was able to pop a quick one-timer from point-blank range into the back of the net for the game's opening goal. Following one more shift, he was benched with 3:17 left in the first period and did not see the ice again, and now won't take it in a competitive setting until after the Olympic break at the end of the month."
Anthony Duclair was benched mid-game for the second time in seven outings and scratched for the Islanders' final game before the three-week Olympic break. Head coach Patrick Roy inserted Calum Ritchie, who returned ahead of schedule from a lower-body injury, into the lineup. Duclair's benchings stem from defensive lapses, including a failed backcheck on a late Buffalo goal on Jan. 24 and a failure to track Anthony Mantha that led to Pittsburgh's opening goal. Duclair was removed after the first period against Pittsburgh and will not play in competitive action until after the Olympic pause. Roy indicated no concern about Duclair's response.
Read at www.amny.com
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