BUFFALO — A bad situation for the Islanders just got worse.
Mat Barzal left the team’s road trip ahead of Friday’s game in Buffalo, returning to New York due to an upper-body injury, per a team announcement.
The Islanders said a timeframe will be announced after Barzal sees team doctors.
That makes it two-thirds of the top line that is now injured for the Islanders, with Anthony Duclair (lower body) on LTIR, as the team struggles for goals.
Bo Horvat, who started the season between Duclair and Barzal, took line rushes Friday between Anders Lee and J-G Pageau.
Barzal had suffered a tough start to the season, going without a five-on-five goal so far, with his frustration visible after Tuesday’s loss to Anaheim.
Missing extended time would not only hurt the Islanders dramatically, but potentially put Barzal’s spot on Team Canada at February’s Four Nations Tournament at risk.
