Islanders Ready to Resume After Holiday Pause

Between schedule quirks, COVID outbreaks, cross-border postponements and league-wide pauses, the New York Islanders have had plenty of breaks in their first-quarter schedule.
With the Christmas break in the rearview mirror, the Islanders are itching to play some games and settle into that regular NHL rhythm.
"We're looking forward to playing some games again," Josh Bailey said. "It's been tough circumstances, the league is doing the best they can with the hand they've been dealt to this point, so it'll be fun to get back out there."

The Islanders practiced for a second-straight day on Monday, instead of playing their originally-scheduled game against the Buffalo Sabres. That game was postponed when the
NHL delayed its return to game play from Dec. 27 to Dec. 28
. As a result, the Islanders next contest will be on Dec. 29 against the Detroit Red Wings, 10 days since their last game, a 4-3 shootout loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Islanders were 3-2-1 in their last six games and have points in seven of nine games in December (3-2-4).

Five Islanders games have been postponed this season: Nov. 28 at New York (postponed to March 17), Nov. 30 at Philadelphia, Dec. 20 vs Montreal, Dec. 23 vs Washington and Dec. 27 vs Buffalo. In total, the NHL has postponed 70 games this season and Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters Sunday that he's been given the indication that the Islanders next games are to be played.
Mathew Barzal was especially happy to be back at practice the past two days, as the Islanders center had to quarantine in Detroit after entering COVID-19 protocol on Dec. 14. Barzal said the 10 days of isolation were tough, but it gave him an extra appreciation for being back around his teammates and getting on the ice.
"My whole emotion, my whole energy has been sparked being back with the boys," Barzal said. "It's tough spending 10 days by yourself isolated, it sucks really, it's not fun, it's not easy. I'm thrilled to be back with the boys."

Barzal said that the first skate was a little tough after being off the ice for an extended period, but that he felt better after the second skate. The center, who had a six-game point streak before entering protocol, will get the benefit of one more practice day before the team returns to game action.
"He could feel the after-effects the first practice, I thought he hit a bit of a wall earlier," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "When you're off for that length of time, you're going to hit a wall… today he was fine."
Even with Barzal activated
- and Matt Martin and Robin Salo expected to exit protocol on Dec. 29 - the Islanders will still be short-manned when they take on the Red Wings. Anthony Beauvillier, Cal Clutterbuck, Zach Parise and Oliver Wahlstrom
all entered protocols on Sunday
, while Kyle Palmieri continues to rehab a lower-body injury. Palmieri skated on his own on Monday.

(In fairness, Detroit is short manned as well, with only 10 skaters and a goalie participating in Sunday's practice. The Red Wings had three forwards Carter Rowney, Givani Smith and Pius Suter, plus Head Coach Jeff Blashill exit protocols on Monday.)
With the entire league taking a break from game action from Dec. 22-28, the other 31 teams will all be in a similar position as the Islanders, looking to ramp up after a layoff with a fluid roster. As far as Trotz is concerned, the Islanders will have to focus on themselves to come out of this latest break strong.
"With the way the league is, with the number of guys out, you really just worry about your own team. That's the way we've sort of gone about it," Trotz said. "Let's just worry about ourselves and play our game."