Bo Horvat proves that his contract with the NY Islanders wasn't a mistake after a dominant season

MINUS

Overall, unarguably, Horvat had an amazing season. However, there is always room for improvement, especially in the playoffs. Horvat had been to the playoffs before his time with the Islanders, most notably in a run to the second round in 2020 with his former team, where he played 17 games and scored 12 points. The 2023 and 2024 playoffs looked eerily similar for Horvat and the Islanders as a whole, facing off against an unstoppable Carolina Hurricanes team. In both seasons Horvat seemed to disappear the second the puck dropped for game 1. All of the pluses previously discussed mounted to a shell of Horvat's regular season self. Horvat only managed one goal and one assist over the five games played. If Horvat wants to continue to stay in the fan's good graces and be a leader on this team he has to show up when it matters most, and that is during the playoffs.

Horvat did struggle a little during the regular season, but it can all be tied back to one thing - his separation from Barzal. When he was named head coach, Patrick Roy had to get creative with lines amid struggles and injuries, but one of his biggest mistakes was separating the dynamic duo. Horvat and Barzal proved that they play their best together, but then that begs the question of who plays alongside them. The top line never seemed to be complete with wingers constantly switching in and out of the left side. Horvat and Barzal play beautifully together, but they both need to learn how to have chemistry as a whole line, no matter how consistent their left winger is alongside them. While constant lineup changes aren't their fault, it's a player's job to find chemistry with whoever they play with and that is something Horvat needs to improve on.