Any concerns about Mat Barzal’s status looked to be assuaged Thursday after he walked out of the tunnel for practice at MetLife Stadium.
But after taking a photo with the rest of the team at center ice, Barzal went right back indoors before practice officially started.
So it appears as though the Islanders’ biggest superstar is a question mark for the team’s marquee game against the Rangers on Sunday afternoon, though coach Patrick Roy downplayed any worry following practice.
“I’m pretty confident he’s gonna be in the lineup on Sunday,” Roy said. “As of now, it’s maintenance.”
According to NHL.com — independent media was not allowed on the MetLife Stadium field, thus could not see line rushes after the team put on number-less jerseys — Hudson Fasching skated on Barzal’s usual spot to the right of Bo Horvat.
Fasching has missed the past five games with a lower-body injury of his own, and this was his first time skating with the team.
Roy did not say whether Fasching would play Sunday, but unlike Barzal, he was made available to reporters
“I feel good being back out there,” Fasching said. “Good to get through a full practice. Excited to be back with the team.”
Given this was a relatively light practice that amounted to a league-mandated photo opportunity, Barzal’s absence is far more notable than his being out of Wednesday’s high-intensity practice at Northwell Health Ice Center.
After taking off his skates, Barzal watched Thursday from the Islanders’ bench.
There are still two days left before the Islanders return to action, but given their precarious position in the playoff race, it would be a serious blow for Barzal to miss any time.
The only game Barzal has missed this season came Dec. 2 at Florida, with the Islanders pulling out a win while he was out with illness.
Barzal missed the final 23 games last season after suffering an ankle injury on Craig Smith’s hit in Boston on Feb. 18, but returned for the first-round playoff loss to the Hurricanes.
He leads the Islanders with 56 points, ranking 10th league-wide with 41 assists.
After being moved up to the first line before Tuesday’s 2-1 loss to the Kraken, Pierre Engvall was back on the second line, with Anders Lee returned to Horvat’s left.