Islanders center Mat Barzal returns to Long Island to get an upper-body injury evaluated

By The Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzlikins, right, protects the net as teammate Jordan Harris, center, chases New York Islanders' Mathew Barzal during the first period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Jay LaPrete]

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Islanders say center Mat Barzal has returned to Long Island to be evaluated for an upper-body injury. They say a timeframe for Barzal’s absence would announced after he sees team doctors. It was not clear exactly when Barzal was injured. He finished New York’s game at Columbus on Wednesday night. The Islanders are already playing without winger Anthony Duclair, who could miss several weeks with a lower-body injury. Veteran Matt Martin signed a contract last week to replenish forward depth.