Bo Horvat returns, Duclair a healthy scratch as NY Islanders host rivals at UBS Arena

The New York Islanders are poised to get a significant offensive lift Saturday night with the return of Bo Horvat, though his reentry into the lineup comes with difficult ripple effects elsewhere.

Horvat is expected to play for the first time in five games after missing time with a lower-body injury, rejoining the top line alongside Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman. He also resumed his regular roles on both the power play and penalty kill during morning skate.

“I’m feeling good about myself right now and where I’m at,” Horvat said. “I just want to talk to Patrick and make sure everything’s good to go, and hopefully I’ll be in tonight.”

Before the injury, Horvat was the engine of the Islanders’ offense, leading the club with 31 points (19 goals, 12 assists) in 32 games. In his absence, the Islanders went 2-2-1 and were held to two goals or fewer in regulation in all five games, underscoring just how much Horvat’s presence stabilizes the attack down the middle.

Still, Horvat acknowledged that the return won’t be seamless. “I can’t think it’s just going to be easy,” he said. “I have to work for it and take it shift by shift.” Head coach Patrick Roy welcomed Horvat back while also crediting the group for staying competitive without him. “It’s nice to have him back,” Roy said. “It also showed the depth that we have.”

That depth, however, has forced Roy into uncomfortable decisions. With Horvat reclaiming his spot, Anthony Duclair is expected to be a healthy scratch despite solid recent play. “It’s heartbreaking to take guys out of the lineup,” Roy said. “But those are the tough decisions you have to make.”

For the Islanders, the hope is clear: Horvat’s return jumpstarts an offense that’s been grinding for goals, even if it means short-term sacrifices elsewhere in the lineup.