Isles Day to Day: Barzal Joins Morning Skate

Mathew Barzal joined the Islanders for morning skate on Thursday, taking the ice with the team for the first time since suffering a lower-body injury on Feb. 26 against the LA Kings.
Barzal has missed five games since suffering the ailment against the Kings, but skated on his own on Tuesday, per Head Coach Barry Trotz. The center leads the Islanders in assists (25) and points (37) through 45 games.
Zdeno Chara, who returned to practice on Tuesday, also participated in Thursday's morning skate.
"They're probably both close," Trotz said. "In Zee's case, he'll probably be available for tomorrow. We just wanted to give him one more day with his injury going into a back-to-back, but he's felt really good on the ice. I'd think he's getting close there. Barzal, I'll find out in a little bit, it's the first time he's skated with the group, so we'll see where he is tomorrow."