Mathew Barzal was back on the ice on Friday morning, skating with his teammates for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Feb. 18.

"I felt awesome," Barzal said. "Mentally and physically I felt good."

Head Coach Lane Lambert said the expectation is for Barzal to play Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday.

Alexander Romanov (upper body) resumed skating on Tuesday and also skated ahead of the team's optional morning skate on Wednesday, Head Coach Lane Lambert confirmed on Wednesday.

Romanov was injured in the Islanders game vs the Tampa Bay Lightning on April 1 and has missed the last four games. The defenseman is second on the team in hits (198) and blocks (129).

Mathew Barzal also skated ahead of the team's optional skate on Wednesday.

"They're still both day to day, but they're showing signs of progress for sure," Lambert said. 

During a crucial stretch of the season the New York Islanders were afforded a rare opportunity this week, holding two consecutive practice days before Thursday's game against Tampa Bay, the first of the final four games in the regular season. 

"It gives us an opportunity to reset," Matt Martin said. "There are some parts of our game that need cleaning up, so we really focused on that in the last few days. We're trying to instill confidence heading into tomorrow night."

Alexander Romanov missed Tuesday's practice with an upper-body injury.

Romanov suffered the injury in Saturday's loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning and missed Sunday's loss in Carolina.

The defenseman is second on the team in both hits (198) and blocks (129). There was no update on his status for Thursday's game vs Tampa. 

"He's a big physical d-man and plays on the PK," Scott Mayfield said of Romanov. "Blocks shots and does a little bit of everything in the d-zone. That's a hole to fill and he plays good minutes, but we have seven healthy d here that can play, so it's that next man up mentality."

Mathew Barzal will be skating either on Saturday or Sunday on Long Island, Islanders President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello told reporters ahead of the team's optional morning skate in Tampa Bay.

Barzal has been out since Feb. 18 with a lower-body injury. Lamoriello said there was no timetable on Barzal's return. 

The New York Islanders announced today that Aidan Fulp and Travis Mitchell have agreed to terms on two-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) entry-level contracts beginning with the 2023-24 season. 

Fulp, 23, spent the past three seasons with Western Michigan University of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), recording 38 points (four goals, 34 assists) in 94 games. This season, the 6'3, 210-pound defenseman served as an assistant captain and helped the Broncos reach the NCAA tournament for the second consecutive season. He was nominated for Defensive Defenseman of the Year in the NCHC.  

Sebastian Aho hit the ice for optional morning skate with the Islanders on Monday morning ahead of the team's matchup against the New Jersey Devils. 

"It indicates to me he's getting closer [to returning]," Head Coach Lane Lambert said after Monday's skate. "It was nice to see him out there with the group."

Brock Nelson was a full participant in Thursday's practice at Northwell Health Ice Center. 

The 31-year-old forward left Tuesday's tilt against Toronto in the first period after a hit against the boards and did not return. 

Head Coach Lane Lambert said that Nelson did not return to the game for precautionary reasons on Tuesday, but was glad to see him practice with the team on Thursday. 

"Very good [to see him]," Lambert said. "He seems like he's okay so that's good." 

The New York Islanders recalled Samuel Bolduc from the Bridgeport Islanders on Monday morning, returning Otto Koivula in a corresponding move. 

Bolduc's recall also comes as Sebastian Aho missed Monday's practice. Aho left Saturday's 4-1 win over San Jose in the first period and did not return. After Monday's practice, Head Coach Lane Lambert provided an update on the 27-year-old defenseman that he is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

Josh Bailey and Casey Cizikas were both sick with non-covid illnesses and missed Friday's practice in San Jose. Both players are expected to be available for Saturday's game against San Jose. 

Bailey missed Wednesday's game as a healthy scratch. He has 25 points (8G, 17A) in 61 games this season.

Cizikas played in Wednesday's game and has 18 points (5G, 13A) in 69 games this season.