Barzal to return for Game 1 vs. Hurricanes

New York Islanders star forward Mathew Barzal will be in the lineup for Game 1 of the club's first-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, head coach Lane Lambert confirmed Friday, according to Newsday's Andrew Gross.

Barzal, 25, hasn't played since Feb. 18 due to a lower-body injury. He was in the midst of his most productive offensive season (51 points in 58 games) since winning the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie in 2018.

The Islanders locked up the Eastern Conference's first wild-card seed with 93 points after missing the playoffs last season. They last met the Hurricanes in the postseason in 2018-19, losing in a four-game sweep.

Barzal has 38 points in 49 career playoff games and was a key factor in New York's runs to the conference final in 2020 and 2021.