Both Mathew Barzal and defenseman Zdeno Chara will miss their sixth straight game as the Islanders face the Blue Jackets on Thursday night at UBS Arena.
But coach Barry Trotz believes Chara will be available to return as the Islanders continue their six-game homestand against the Jets on Friday night.
Chara (upper body) and Barzal (lower body) both participated in the Islanders’ morning skate on Thursday. For Barzal, it was his first time skating with teammates since getting hurt.
"They’re probably both close," Trotz said. "In Z’s case, he will be probably available for tomorrow. We just wanted to give him one more day with his injury going into a back-to-back.