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.
Barzal left Game 5 with 4:47 left in the third period after being high-sticked by Claude Giroux. Barzal did not return for overtime and is questionable for Game 6 on Thursday. Head coach Barry Troy said that his level concern about Barzal's available was "just probably moderate." Consider Barzal a game-time decision.
Barzal served as a healthy scratch for the last six games and only appeared in two games after cracking the roster out of training camp. The Islanders never really gave Barzal a chance, so he returns to Seattle, where he had 88 points (27G / 61A) in 58 games a season ago.
Barzal played 10:10 during his NHL debut on Saturday, but he will come out of the lineup in favour of Alan Quine on Sunday.
Barzal sat out of the Islanders’ season opener, but will draw into the lineup on Saturday. Barzal will centre the third line with Ryan Strome on his right wing and Anders Lee on the left. Barzal is also expected to play on the Islanders’ top power-play unit.
