The New York Rangers won’t have to worry about containing Mathew Barzal when the Islanders visit Madison Square Garden on Monday, just as they didn’t when they cruised to a 5-1 win at UBS Arena earlier in the week. Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello also isn’t making any promises about Barzal’s availability when the Rangers return to Belmont Park on April 10.
When asked by Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic for an update on Barzal—who has been sidelined since February 1 and underwent surgery on his left kneecap shortly after—Lamoriello remained noncommittal. “No,” he said. “Hopefully, he’ll be back before the end of the year, but he’s still rehabbing, and that’s all I can say. It’s an unfortunate injury.”
The Rangers certainly won’t complain about Barzal’s absence. The 2018 Calder Trophy winner has recorded 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in 31 career games against them—the most he has scored against any NHL team. As one of the league’s most skilled puck-handlers, Barzal plays a crucial role on the Islanders’ top line, particularly on the power play.
This season has been challenging for Barzal, who suffered the injury while blocking a shot late in the Islanders’ 3-2 overtime win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has missed seven games since but has yet to be placed on long-term injured reserve. Earlier in the season, he also missed 23 games with an upper-body injury sustained on October 30 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite the setbacks, he has posted 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) and holds a plus-10 rating in 30 games.
The Islanders are notoriously tight-lipped about injuries, but teammate Brock Nelson told The Hockey News that Barzal remains in good spirits. “Obviously, another injury for him—it sucks. You don’t want to see anyone go down, especially a guy who’s been such a big part of our team for so long. He’s the future, and he’s a dynamic player. But I think he’s handling it well.”
With the NHL Trade Deadline approaching on March 7 and the Islanders sitting seven points outside a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference—three behind the Rangers—Barzal’s uncertain status puts Lamoriello in a tough position. If the forward were expected back soon, the GM might look to bolster the offense. Without that clarity, he could opt to sell, with forwards Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and Jean-Gabriel Pageau potentially drawing interest from contenders.
Islanders Hampered by Injuries All Season
Barzal’s injury is just one of many the Islanders have dealt with this season. Former Ranger Anthony Duclair missed more than a month with a lower-body injury and has struggled offensively since returning. The defense corps has also been hit hard, with Noah Dobson, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Mike Reilly all missing extended time. At one point, the team relied on three defensemen—ex-Ranger Tony DeAngelo, Scott Perunovich, and Adam Boqvist—who were acquired via free agency, waivers, or minor trades.
“It’s been an unusual year for injuries from our perspective,” Lamoriello said. “But we’ve seen a lot of injuries across the league as well.”
Most of those players have returned, with Dobson suiting up for the Islanders’ 2-1 road win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday after missing 11 games.
Despite his team’s struggles, Lamoriello isn’t giving up on a late-season push for the playoffs.
“I have no doubt we’re capable of that,” he told LeBrun. “But we have to get it done.”