Free extension for sports fans
Advertisement
Advertisement

Islanders’ Mathew Barzal Taking Steps Forward, But No Timeline For Return To Team Practice

Star forward Mathew Barzal intensified his solo skating sessions as he recovers from knee inflammation, though management remains cautious regarding his return to the lineup against Tampa Bay.

Published: Friday, 9 October 2026 at 6:15 PM
Islanders’ Mathew Barzal Taking Steps Forward, But No Timeline For Return To Team Practice
Key Things to Know
  • Mathew Barzal skated solo for a second straight day, but has no timeline to rejoin team practice.
  • Head coach Pete DeBoer stated the team remains in the initial phase of Barzal's return to play.
  • Barzal will miss his fifth consecutive game on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Story in 60 Seconds

New York Islanders star forward Mathew Barzal has taken steps forward by skating on his own for a second consecutive day, but there is still no timeline for his return to full team practice. Head coach Pete DeBoer confirmed the team remains in the initial phase of his return to play as Barzal recovers from left-knee inflammation.

Barzal is set to miss his fifth consecutive game on Saturday when the Islanders face the Tampa Bay Lightning. Although the team is exercising caution, the forward reportedly felt good after increasing the length of his solo skating session.

Advertisement

Never Miss a Sports Update

Get the latest sports news and top stories from MySportsTab delivered straight to your inbox.

No spam. Just the latest sports news and updates.