How long is Mat Barzal out for? Injury updates, return date for Islanders center

The Islanders are going to have to push for a playoff spot without one of their top players. 

The team announced on Monday that center Mat Barzal is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury. He was injured during the team’s contest against the Bruins on Saturday. 

It is unclear at this moment when Barzal will return to the lineup. 

#Isles Injury Update: Mat Barzal is out indefinitely with a lower body injury.

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 20, 2023

New York is in the midst of a dogfight for one of the last playoff spots. Entering play on Monday, the Isles have 63 points and are in the second Wild Card position.

However, the Capitals, Panthers, Sabres and Red Wings are all within three points of the Islanders. Florida has played the same amount of games as New York, but everyone else has games in hand. 

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The Sporting News has all the injury updates on Barzal and when he could potentially return. 

What is Mat Barzal’s injury?

The Islanders stated that Barzal is dealing with a lower-body injury. 

During New York’s game against Boston on Saturday, Feb. 18, Barzal took a hit from Bruins forward Craig Smith in the first period. It appeared that Smith collided with Barzal as he was in a slightly awkward position. 

Barzal injury in slo-mo. May even be the ankle…skate kind of goes into the boards awkwardly #isles pic.twitter.com/oQLcTzU6aQ

— Robby (@Dosange) February 19, 2023

Barzal left the game and did not return. It is unclear if the injury is to Barzal’s leg or ankle. 

When will Mat Barzal return?

It is unclear when the Islanders can expect Barzal to enter back into the lineup. New York stated that Barzal would be out “indefinitely.”

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun followed that up with a report saying that Barzal is considered “week-to-week”, but is expected to return before the end of the regular season. 

To clarify things a little here, Barzal is considered week to week. Plan is for the Isles to have him back before the end of the season. https://t.co/Xd0H2tPrNh

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) February 20, 2023

Mat Barzal stats 2022-23

Barzal has been producing at just under a point-per-game rate this season. He has 51 points in 58 games. 

Bo Horvat and Brock Nelson are the only two on the team that have more points than Barzal. His 37 assists rank first on the club, as do his 15 power-play assists.