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Mathew Barzal, who is tied for second in points for the New York Islanders this season, will not play against the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. The forward was scratched from the lineup after arriving late to the team’s morning skate at Lenovo Center.NHL insider Andrew Gross first reported that Isles coach Patrick Roy has not confirmed the team’s lineup due to Barzal’s absence. Elliotte Friedman posted on X that Cal Ritchie will make his debut in Barzal’s place. Ritchie, a 20-year-old forward drafted at No. 27 by Colorado in 2023, joined New York from Bridgeport.Roy highlighted that the decision was made to maintain team discipline and added that Barzal accepted it with understanding.“We made the decision to not play him tonight,” Roy said, via NHL.com. “Barzy doesn’t feel good about it, but he respects the decision. He understands it. He was really good about it.”Roy also clarified that the move was not made out of frustration but to maintain accountability within the group.“No one here is mad at Barzy,” Roy said. “It’s the culture that we put in place. We’re a team and we stick together. Compassion is a very important thing. We had a decision to make and we made that decision today.”Barzal continues to be an important player for the Islanders. In nine games this season, he has two goals and six assists, with a +4 rating. He averages over 21 minutes of ice time and is one of the team’s top playmakers.Bruins rally past Islanders with five unanswered goalsThe Islanders lost 5-2 to the Boston Bruins at TD Garden on Tuesday. They had an early 2-0 lead with goals from Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri, but the Bruins responded with five straight goals. Boston goalie Joonas Korpisalo made 33 saves and David Pastrnak recorded a goal and an assist.After the game, New York coach Patrick Roy said the team needs to stay more disciplined.“I see it as a learning process,” Roy said, via NHL.com. “I'm not saying we change our game, but the two penalties at the start of the second gave them some life and some momentum, especially when they scored that power-play goal. And then after that we had our chances ... but I think if you want to win on the road, you can't take those penalties.”The Islanders will look to bounce back versus the Hurricanes on Thursday without Mathew Barzal in the lineup.
