Mathew Barzal Out Due to Knee Injury

Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders will miss at least one game due to an undisclosed injury sustained during a recent match against the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he was struck in the right knee by a shot. The injury occurred late in the third period of the game, and head coach Patrick Roy offered no immediate updates on Barzal's condition. This season, Barzal has played 30 games, recording 6 goals and 14 assists, but he has not scored in recent matches. His absence adds to the Islanders' injury woes, as the team is already dealing with missing key players, including backup goalie Semyon Varlamov. As the team continues its pursuit of a Wild Card playoff spot, the potential loss of Barzal poses a significant challenge. Anthony Duclair is expected to fill Barzal's position in the lineup if he cannot play against the Florida Panthers.