Mathew Barzal making Islanders road trip with injury return on horizon

Mathew Barzal has travelled with the New York Islanders on a two-week road trip as he nears a possible return from injury, potentially in California this week. His return, alongside Matias Maccelli’s, could strengthen the team during a favourable run of fixtures and help it build credibility in the playoff race.

The Islanders are 7-6-3 and play five of their next six games away, with eight of the next nine against teams at or below .500. Ryan Pulock has also travelled but is believed to be further from returning, after skating in a non-contact jersey; his initial recovery estimate was two to four weeks. Recent losses to New Jersey and Carolina exposed the strain injuries have put on the team’s defence.