Isles Day-to-Day: Barzal Joins First Practice This Season

The New York Islanders returned to Northwell Health Ice Center for practice on Wednesday ahead of their matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday.  

Mathew Barzal (lower body) was on the ice with the team for the first time this season as he returns from left knee inflammation. He was in a red non-contact jersey.  

Ryan Pulock (upper body) and Matias Maccelli (lower body) also donned red jerseys in their first practices back with the group since sustaining their injuries.

Maccelli’s injury came injury during the first period against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 17 and he was placed on Injured Reserve. It was announced on Oct. 19 he would miss 2-4 weeks.  

Pulock suffered his injury on Oct. 29 against the Minnesota Wild and it was announced Sunday he would miss 2-4 weeks.  

Head Coach Pete DeBoer said there’s no change in the timetable for the three Isles who participated in the opening rush and flow drills of practice.  

Cal Ritchie did not skate with the team as he works his way back from a lower-body injury suffered in the same Maple Leafs game on Oct. 17.

Lines

Simon Holmström – Bo Horvat – Kyle Palmieri  
Emil Heineman – Brayden Schenn – Victor Eklund  
Ondřej Palát – JG Pageau – Anthony Duclair  
Kyle MacLean – Casey Cizikas – Mitchell Chaffee  

Logan Stanley – Matthew Schaefer 
Adam Pelech – Tony DeAngelo  
Matt Kessel – Scott Mayfield  
Ben Hutton

Extras: Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock, Matias Maccelli

Isles Share Excitement as Barzal, Pulock, Maccelli Return To Practice  

There was a palpable buzz in the Islanders dressing room on Wednesday as the trio of injured players were back on the ice with the team.  

That energy was evident on Anthony Duclair’s face as his locker mate Barzal was back flying around the ice again.   

“We all know how much Barzy means to this organization and to the guys in the locker room so seeing him out there with the boys, even just for a little bit today was great,” Duclair said. “It's going to be a step-by-step process, but we're behind him, we're supporting him, and we're gonna welcome him with open arms as soon as he's ready.” 

Duclair said he talked with Barzal following practice and complimented the way the latter was playing.  

Duclair added that there were “a lot of smiles” during practice and throughout the locker room, which has dealt with plenty of early-season injuries. He said it was a “really positive sign” for Barzal who’s inching closer to a full return.  

“I told him today I think he looked great out there, even though it was only for a couple drills,” Duclair said. “For a guy that hasn't skated much in the summer he doesn't seem like he's missed too much out there. He's such a good skater, such a good player, a smart player that I think he'll adjust pretty well and pretty quickly.”

Bo Horvat said having Barzal, Maccelli and Pulock back in the room has given the team a jolt of energy, something they’ll need a talented and physical Carolina Hurrcianes team.  

Horvat was impressed with the pace the three Isles brought during the early stages of practice and said it’s exciting to see their progress continue to develop in a positive direction.  

“I think they all look great,” Horvat said. “Everybody was skating well. Everybody was keeping up in the drills, and definitely nobody looked out of place. The sooner they come back, the better for our team. Hopefully, we can get them back ASAP.” 

Matthew Schaefer echoed Horvat and said the rest of the room has acknowledged the determined work the three Isles have put in to get back with the group.  

Schaefer said there was a plethora of chirps tossed around the locker room in an environment that was enhanced by their return.  

“You want to be with the guys,” Schaefer said. “You want to just be in that environment again because when we go on road trips and things like that and they have to stay back, and every day they're just putting in the work to get back. It’s not easy and it can be hard sometimes but when you're around everybody, it's always fun because they keep it light, keep it fun, and you have that motivation to just be back with everybody.” 

Despite the variety of injuries that have plagued the Isles, they’ve managed to weather the storm with a 7-5-2 record. The Isles are just four points away from the second spot in the Metropolitan Division ahead of their matchup with the reigning Stanley Cup Champions.  

It’s a byproduct of players like Kyle MacLean, Matt Kessel and Mitchell Chaffee stepping up and playing meaningful minutes, a dynamic Duclair acknowledged as the Isles get closer to full strength.  

“We got caught with a couple guys out early in the season, which is not ideal, but at the same time, I think all the guys that came in have done a really good job of just stepping in and stepping up,” Duclair said. “Barzy [Barzal] Mitchy [Maccelli], Rich [Cal Ritchie], even Puls [Pulock] going down, those are key pieces for us, guys that we need for sure. It's the next man up mentality, and I think we're doing a great job so far.”