Islanders return from NHL's Olympic break
That break lasted 11 days and was mandated by the NHL, which sent some of its players to the Olympics. Two Islanders, Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat, remain in at the games playing for Canada and the Czech Republic respectively.
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While the eyes of the hockey world are on the Olympics in Italy, the Islanders got back to work Tuesday at their practice facility in East Meadow.
"I was in the dressing room kind of by myself and you could hear laughs and people chattering in the lounge, so everyone was excited to get back, just telling some stories about the break. It’s nice to see everybody,” said forward Mat Barzal, who said he spent part of his break in Arizona.
That break lasted 11 days and was mandated by the NHL, which sent some of its players to the Olympics. Two Islanders, Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat, remain in at the games playing for Canada and the Czech Republic respectively. So, the Islanders practiced Tuesday without Horvat and Palat, but some of their teammates said they've been watching both of them in the Olympics.
"I want to see them do well. Stay healthy first of all, but do well," said Islanders coach Patrick Roy. He also said he's not worried about Horvat or Palat getting injured because they are "really good hockey players."
Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who is Canadian, said it's "cool" watching Team Canada and rooting for Horvat at the same time. He said he's checked in with Horvat via text message, too.
"He seems to be having a blast. But you miss him a little bit too because we haven't seen him in a bit. But it'll be nice when he comes back with a nice gold medal around his neck," said Schaeffer.
Horvat and Palat will rejoin the Islanders when their season resumes Feb. 26. The Islanders first game is on the road against Montreal.
The Islanders are currently in third place in the Metropolitan division with 24 games to play.
“I think we’re all excited to enter into that last stretch. We’re looking at the standings where we are, and we know there’s going to be a lot of good hockey to be played. So, I think that will motivate us,” said Roy.
"Every game is a playoff game from here on out," said Schaeffer.
