New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal left the game against the Flames on Friday night in Calgary after warming up with a lower-body injury.
On Twitter at the start of the game, the “Isles” indicated that the 25-year-old’s state of health would be reassessed on a daily basis. Barzal, the team’s leading scorer this season with 41 points in 40 games, showed no signs of injury Thursday in a 4-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
This mysterious absence of the native of British Columbia only worsens the balance sheet in the infirmary of the Islanders. Kyle Palmieri, Adam Pelech, Oliver Wahlstrom and Simon Holmstrom have been sidelined for several days due to various ailments.
The visitors were beaten 4-1 by the Flames, who took the lead thanks to goals from Milan Lucic, Blake Coleman, Nikita Zadorov and Nazem Kadri. Veteran Zach Parisé was the only player representing the Big Apple able to shake the ropes.
In his first game since Dec. 17, goaltender Semyon Varlamov looked weak at times, being beaten four times on 21 shots.
