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NY Islanders get encouraging injury news as 3 key players travel for California trip

Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock are traveling with the Islanders, offering hope that reinforcements could soon arrive for the team after three straight losses
ByJiggs Westfall
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Oct 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matias MacCelli (63) the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Oct 6, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Matias MacCelli (63) the game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders desperately need something positive to come out of their three-game California road trip. Before the team even takes the ice Monday night against the San Jose Sharks, they've already received some encouraging news.

Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock are all traveling with the Isles, another promising step toward getting three important pieces back into the lineup.

For Barzal and Maccelli, the progression over the past several days has been particularly encouraging.

Both forwards recently went from wearing red non-contact jerseys to regular blue practice jerseys, allowing them to participate more fully with their teammates. While Saturday's optional morning skate didn't include contact drills or scrimmaging, the change represented another positive development in their recoveries.

Now, they're boarding the plane for California rather than remaining behind to continue rehabilitation.

That doesn't guarantee either player will suit up during the trip, but it's certainly a better sign than the alternative.

Barzal has been sidelined since the beginning of training camp with a left knee injury, while Maccelli has been out since October 17 with a lower-body injury. Pulock, who suffered an upper-body injury on October 29, also represents a potentially significant addition to a depleted defense.

The timing couldn't be better.

The Isles are coming off a disappointing 0-2-1 homestand, capped by Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to New Jersey after surrendering a two-goal third-period lead.

At 7-6-3, the Islanders haven't won in regulation since October 20, and their inability to consistently generate offense has become increasingly concerning.

Getting Barzal's creativity, Maccelli's offensive skill and Pulock's steady presence back would provide a much-needed boost.

There's still no official timetable for their returns, and traveling doesn't necessarily mean playing.

But after weeks of discouraging injury updates and frustrating results, seeing three key players progress from rehabilitation skates to practicing and traveling with their teammates is exactly the kind of encouraging development the Islanders needed.

Now, the hope is that the next step comes on the ice.

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