Barzal Placed on Long-Term Injured Reserve

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal has been placed on long-term injured reserve due to an upper-body injury sustained during a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and he is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks. Barzal has returned to Long Island for further evaluation by team doctors, marking a significant blow to the Islanders, who have the NHL's worst offensive record, averaging just 2.10 goals per game. The team is also missing forward Anthony Duclair due to a lower-body injury, exacerbating their scoring challenges. Barzal, who led the Islanders with 80 points last season, has yet to score during 5-on-5 play this season, though his power-play contributions remain crucial. The Islanders are currently second-last in the Metropolitan Division, facing significant challenges as they attempt to improve their performance.