The NY Islanders will know more today on the status of Mat Barzal and Scott Mayfield's injuries

The NY Islanders should have an injury update today

Feb 1, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) controls the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Feb 1, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA;New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) controls the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

The NY Islanders can't seem to catch a break. Just when you think the injury crisis can't get any worse, something new happens to add to the already long list of injury-ridden players this season.

Mat Barzal and Scott Mayfield both went down with injuries on Saturday night during the Isles' 3-2 OT victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning and didn't play last night against the Florida Panthers.

Mayfield suffered what appears to be a lower-body injury after being driven into the end wall in the second period. The Islanders took a too-many-men penalty soon after, with Mayfield on the ice for the penalty kill, but didn't return after the successful kill, leaving the Islanders to play with five defensemen for the third period.

Isles waiting on an update

Much of the Islanders' success during their seven-game winning streak was due to the entire roster buying in, willing to sacrifice their bodies for the team, with Mat Barzal being no exception.

Nursing a one-goal lead late in the third period, Barzal stepped in front of a slap shot of the stick of Darren Raddysh, catching Barzal in the knee. He skated off the ice under his own power but was in noticeable pain, and didn't return for overtime.

"That's hockey," Head Coach Patrick Roy said after Saturday night's win. "Barzal knows what he has to do, and he was in that shooting lane, and that's what you need to do as a hockey player. And sometimes you have bad luck."

Without Mayfield and Barzal in the lineup last night, the Islanders played four defensemen who were not part of the opening night roster, and their most dynamic player who was just beginning to find his rhythm after missing 21 games earlier in the season.

The worst fear is that both will be out long-term, just as the Islanders were putting themselves in a position to make another late run at the playoffs. With back-to-back games, we haven't received much of an update on either player, but Patrick Roy stated "We'll know more Monday. That's all I can say for now."

Islanders nation will be holding their breath as the injury bug may have stung its latest victims at the worst possible time.

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