NY Islanders Patrick Roy says team displayed depth during Bo Horvat's absence

Head coach Patrick Roy made it clear Saturday morning that while getting Bo Horvat back into the lineup is a major boost for the New York Islanders, he was just as encouraged by what the team showed in Horvat’s absence.

Speaking after the Islanders’ morning skate, Roy praised the group for how it handled five games without its leading scorer, calling it a reflection of the roster’s depth and resilience.

“It’s nice to have him back,” Roy said of Horvat. “But it’s also nice to see the way the team played without him. It showed the depth that we have, and I was pretty happy with the way the team’s been playing lately.”

Horvat’s return stabilizes multiple areas of the Islanders’ game — from five-on-five play to faceoffs, the power play and the penalty kill — but Roy emphasized that the team didn’t lose its identity while he was sidelined. Instead, different players stepped into bigger roles, allowing the Islanders to stay competitive despite being short-handed.

Roy also provided an update on the status of goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who remains out with what the team has described as a “small, nagging issue.” While Sorokin is unlikely to play Sunday, Roy said the outlook remains positive.

“Right now, he looks good,” Roy said. “Is he going to play tomorrow? Probably not. But we feel like he’ll be back pretty soon, and he’s feeling better every day.”

Sorokin will travel with the team, and Roy confirmed there is a chance the goaltender could return later in the week, potentially as soon as the upcoming stop in Chicago.

In the meantime, Roy said the focus remains on the task at hand, with David Rittich expected to start again and Marcus Hogberg available if needed. With the Islanders facing the Rangers coming out of the break, Roy stressed the importance of focus and energy after several days off the ice.

“Nobody has touched the ice for three days,” Roy said. “It’s about being ready to play a strong game.”

Between Horvat’s return, Sorokin’s improving status and meaningful internal competition for lineup spots, Roy made it clear the Islanders are embracing the kind of problems good teams want to have.