Islanders Await Bo Horvat's Status After Illegal Head Check
New York Islanders captain Bo Horvat is undergoing further evaluation after an illegal hit to the head during Thursday night's game against Chicago.
The New York Islanders are uncertain about the status of their captain, Bo Horvat, who is still being evaluated Friday following an illegal check to the head by Frank Nazar late in Thursday night’s victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Horvat was immediately removed from the game by the league’s concussion spotters and did not participate in a voluntary practice on Friday at UBS Arena.
“I think he’s going to see our people again this morning and see how he feels,” coach Pete DeBoer said.
The NHL’s department of player safety announced that it would hold a hearing for Nazar on Friday, which could result in a suspension. While this may offer some form of accountability, it does not address the potential absence of Horvat for the Islanders.
Horvat leads the Islanders with four goals in four games and was their leading scorer last season with 31 goals. He was also the sole Islander selected for an Olympic team.
The incident occurred with 1:33 remaining in the game, with the Islanders leading 3-1. Horvat was hit in the head area with a late shoulder check after he had shot the puck into an empty net. The Islanders reacted strongly, with players engaging in the ensuing scrum to defend their captain.
“I definitely think [the hit] was over the line,” said Kyle Palmieri. “I don’t think it’s necessarily taking liberties. It’s a fast game, Bo is in a vulnerable position and he’s got to know better. Hopefully everything goes well with Bo and he’s ready to go. Obviously he’s a huge part of our team, and the hit is what it is and it’s out of our hands now. We reacted as a team and stuck up for each other.”
In other team news, Mat Barzal continued skating on his own Friday, extending his ice time from the previous day. However, DeBoer cautioned against premature expectations regarding his return from left kneecap inflammation. “We’re not even having those conversations yet,” DeBoer stated when asked about a timeline for Barzal’s return to the team. “We’re still in the initial phase of return to play.” While the Islanders have indicated that Barzal is progressing and feeling well, the timelines discussed have focused on his return to skating rather than full practices or game play.
The Islanders have an opportunity to win three consecutive home games to commence the season, a feat they have not achieved since the early 2000s. Last season, they swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in their three-game series.