Having Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat on two different lines certainly wasn’t the Islanders’ biggest problem through 10 games. If anything, moving Barzal back to center was working reasonably well, and H…
Having Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat on two different lines certainly wasn’t the Islanders’ biggest problem through 10 games. If anything, moving Barzal back to center was working reasonably well, and Horvat’s line with Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman was the Islanders’ best.
And still, there is something different — something extra — that gets unlocked when the Islanders’ best two forwards are playing alongside each other. And if Cal Ritchie, the top prospect whoBo Horvat celebrates his goal with center Mathew Barzal during the third period of the Islanders’ win over the Capitals on Oct. 31, 2025.That was just what coach Patrick Roy did in the third period against the Capitals, switching his lines to play Barzal and Horvat alongside Heineman, with Ritchie centering Drouin and Kyle Palmieri — and it produced the Islanders’ best 20 minutes of the night, as they broke a 1-1 deadlock to win 3-1. “It was nice to put back with Bo and having Heineman with them,” Roy said. “I thought Ritchie played really well with Drouin and Palmsy in the third.”Eagles acquire two-time Pro Bowler in trade with Ravens Roy said he was unsure whether the Islanders would keep the configuration intact for Sunday’s home game against the Blue Jackets, but it would make sense to do so. Throughout training camp, Barzal made clear to anyone and everyone who asked how much he wants to play with Horvat. On Friday night, Ritchie told The Post he was “more comfortable at center,” though he’s more than willing to play on the wing if that’s what the Islanders ask of him. Will Cuylle checks Calum Ritchie during the third period of a preseason game at UBS Arena on Sept.29, 2025.Whether it’s feasible to keep things the way they were in that third period Friday depends mostly on whether Ritchie can handle the NHL, and the matchups that come with being a de facto second-line center. That remains to be seen, and Ritchie’s first game with the Islanders offered a mixed bag. “I think at the start, it was tough to get my legs under me and then as the game adjusted, got my legs,” Ritchie said. “I thought I played pretty good in the third, there. I thought I was playing good defensively, didn’t give as much. That was good.”Matthew Schaefer was named the NHL’s Rookie of the Month for October after recording eight points in his first 11 games. Schaefer leads all rookies in average time on ice, and leads rookie defensemen in goals and power-play points.The Islanders did not practice Saturday following a back-to-back in Carolina and Washington.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Hurricanes Dominate Islanders in 6-2 VictoryThe Carolina Hurricanes defeated the New York Islanders 6-2, ending a two-game losing streak. Andrei Svechnikov led the Hurricanes with a goal and an assist, while Brandon Bussi made 26 saves. The Islanders were without Mathew Barzal due to a healthy scratch.
Read more »
Hurricanes' Mike Reilly gets early revenge after not being re-signed by IslandersIf that didn’t make the writing on the wall clear, then the Islanders winning the first pick and the right to draft Matthew Schaefer did.
Read more »
Islanders' Mat Barzal explains 'issue' that led to getting scratchedMat Barzal explained his tardiness that led to a healthy scratch on Thursday night.
Read more »
Islanders salvage end of ugly road trip with win over CapitalsThis week wasn’t a total loss for the Islanders.
Read more »
Islanders top Caps 3-1, keep Ovechkin at 899Alex Ovechkin remained one goal shy of 900 for the Capitals, who have lost three straight.
Read more »
Anthony Duclair's Islanders disappearing act makes it fair to wonder what's nextHe has an abysmal 35.28 expected goals rate at five-on-five, and that’s despite playing a significant chunk of minutes alongside Mat Barzal, whose 47.47 xGF rate is fifth on the Islanders.
Read more »