Freshly off of clinching a ticket to the playoffs, the Islanders will rest notable players Mathew Barzal, Hudson Fasching, and Pierre Engvall in their final game of the season. Barazal ends the 2023-24 campaign with 80 points (23G / 57A) in 80 games, his highest total since his rookie season in 2017-18.
Barzal has only missed one game this season, was given a maintenance day on Thursday, and did not participate in practice. Barzal leads the Islanders in scoring with 56 points (15G / 41A) in 52 games, the best point-per-game pace of his seven-year career (1.08 PTS / G).
Barzal missed Saturday's game with an illness, but will return to his usual spot on the first line alongside Bo Horvat and Anders Lee for Tuesday's game against the Sharks. He has seven goals and 16 assists in 22 games this season.
Barzal has been out since February 18th due to a lower-body injury and skated with the Islanders for the first time since his injury. The 25-year-old is expected to make his long-awaited return for Game 1 vs. Carolina after putting up 14 goals, 51 points, 139 SOG, 22 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 58 games played prior to his injury.
Barzal has been out since February 18th due to a lower-body injury and skated with the Islanders for the first time since his injury. The 25-year-old will hope to return at some point for the Islanders' opening series against Carolina after putting up 14 goals, 51 points, 139 SOG, 22 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 58 games played prior to his injury.
Barzal left the Islanders' previous game after just three shifts and 1:32 TOI with a lower-body injury and is now considered out indefinitely. It is a massive loss for New York, as the 25-year-old has 14 goals, 51 points, 139 SOG and 22 PIMs across 58 games prior to the injury.
Barzal left Saturday's game vs. the Bruins and did not return. The Islanders' coaching staff did not provide any updates on Barzal, but they did make an emergency call-up from Bridgeport (AHL), suggesting that Barzal will not be available on Monday.
Barzal was a surprise late scratch on Friday but was back on the ice for Monday's practice and is expected to play Tuesday. Barzal is on a five-game point streak, registering eight points (6G / 2A).
Barzal enters the final year of his three-year, $21.0M ($7.0M AAV) deal and gets a $2.15M AAV raise to remain with the team through the 2031 season. Barzal dazzled as a rookie, posting 85 points (22G / 63A) in 82 games but has averaged just 67 points per 82 games in four years since.
The Islanders believed there was a chance that Barzal could play Saturday, he didn't. On Monday, he didn't even come out for the morning skate and will remain sidelined with the Avalanche in town. Brock Nelson will continue to centre the top line with Barzal out.
Barzal missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but will take part in warmups on Saturday and could draw into the lineup vs. the Blues. Barzal will replace Anders Lee (personal) if he can play.
Barzal was scratched on Tuesday but will play Thursday vs. the Devils. Barzal has struggled over the last month, scoring just two goals with five assists (seven points) in his last 14 games.
Barzal debuted in Islanders' camp on Saturday, fresh off of a three-year contract extension. The 23-year-old centre had 19 goals and 41 assists (60 points) in 68 games a season ago and has averaged 14 goals and 36 assists (50 points) per 56-games over the last three years. Given the depth at the position, Barzal is a strong No.2 fantasy centre now that he'll be there for the start of the 2021 season.