Isles Day-to-Day: Horvat Rejoins Isles in Montreal

Bo Horvat returned from the Winter Olympic Games and rejoined the New York Islanders for the team's morning skate in Montreal on Thursday morning. Horvat is expected to play on Thursday night when the Islanders take on the Montreal Canadiens. 

Horvat, who was absent during the team's previous practices this week, said rejoining the team felt like a reset, a fresh start after earned silver for Canada in the Winter Olympic Games.

Horvat skated on a line with Ondrej Palat and Mathew Barzal. Horvat leads the team with 24 goals and with 40 points this season, he is one of two players on the Islanders with 40 points of more (the other player being Barzal with 51 points).

Though he didn't bring back gold, earning silver is a tremendous honor for Horvat and his family. 

"It was by far the coolest experience I've had in my life and career," Horvat said. "I'm so grateful to say I was there and be part of that team. That experience is something I'll never forget." 

Horvat said playing in the Olympics felt like "a whole new season" as there are some differences - both in the atmosphere in the NHL vs the Olympics, as well as the rink size has a difference of several feet. 

"It's funny because the first thing he said to me this morning was that the three feet makes such a big difference and the corners are different," Head Coach Patrick Roy said. "It's about re-focusing on what you have to do. I'm not nervous about him."

See below for how the Islanders lined up in morning skate.

MORNING SKATE LINES

Ondrej Palat – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal
Jonathan Drouin – Cal Ritchie – Emil Heineman
Anders Lee – JG Pageau – Simon Holmstrom
Kyle MacLean – Casey Cizikas – Marc Gatcomb
Max Shabanov, Anthony Duclair 

Matthew Schaefer – Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech – Tony DeAngelo
Carson Soucy – Scott Mayfield
Adam Boqvist 

Ilya Sorokin
David Rittich

SOROKIN TO START

Ilya Sorokin is the expected starter on Thursday night against Montreal. He is 20-13-2 this season, along with a 2.44 GAA and a .916 SV% along with six shutouts.

Sam Montembeault is expected to start for Montreal.

HEINEMAN TO FACE FORMER TEAM

Emil Heineman will play against his former team for the first time on Thursday, as he played for the Habs in 2024-25, which was his rookie campaign. 

Being in Montreal for the first time as a visitor was surreal for the 24-year-old winger. He got a chance to see his former teammates on Wednesday and he took Simon Holmstrom and Adam Boqvist to his favorite sushi place in Montreal. 

"It's special," Heineman said on Thursday morning. "I spent a lot of time here. It's nice to see where I used to live, but I'm focused on the game tonight. 

DOBSON TO FACE ISLES FOR THE FIRST TIME

Defenseman Noah Dobson, who played 388 games over six seasons for the Islanders, will face his former team for the first time on Thursday. 

Dobson, who was traded to Montreal for Heineman and two first-round picks at the NHL Draft, said it was a smooth transition to Montreal as he's having fun playing in a Canadian market. Dobson was drafted 12th overall by the Islanders in the 2018 NHL Draft and racked up 230 points (50G, 180A) for the Islanders. With Montreal, Dobson has 38 points (20G, 28A) through 57 games this season. 

"I love Long Island, I love the Islanders organization," Dobson said. "Got a ton of respect for them, everything they've done, they drafted me. I really grew up there. I came in as a 19-year-old kid and left at 25. I have a lot of great memories there and happy to experience this new chapter in Montreal."