Mathew Barzal goes full contact as Islanders eye LA return

Monday's morning skate in San Jose started with 1 step back. Barzal and Maccelli were back in red no-contact jerseys, Pulock was in a regular practice jersey, and DeBoer still left the door open for all 3.

Ethan Sears

@ethan_sears

Pete DeBoer said “there’s a potential” for Barzal, Maccelli, Pulock to play on this trip. “I think that’s why we brought them. Yeah there’s a potential. That doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee.”

"That doesn't mean it's a guarantee" is about as coach-speak as it gets, but the important part is the first half. They didn't haul 3 injured guys across the country to watch from the press box. None of them played Monday against the Sharks, but all 3 stayed on the ice after the morning skate broke up to get some contact work in. That's usually what the last step looks like.

Barzal is the big one. He hasn't played a game this season because of inflammation in his left knee, and his first practice with the team didn't come until November 4. This is the guy who led the Islanders with 72 points last year, so every day he spends in a red jersey matters a lot.

The other 2 aren't small losses either. Maccelli has been out since he got hurt October 17 in Toronto, after 6 points in 8 games. Pulock left the October 29 game against Minnesota early in the 1st period. Both were given 2-4 week timelines, so Pulock is ahead of schedule.

By Tuesday, the jerseys told a different story. All 3 skated in full contact at practice in San Jose.

Andrew Gross

@AGrossNewsday

Mathew Barzal, Matias Maccelli and Ryan Pulock all in regular practice jerseys today here in San Jose

Then JG Pageau took a maintenance day, and Barzal slid right into his spot between Ondrej Palat and Anthony Duclair. That doesn't mean he'll be the 3rd-line center Thursday, but it's the closest he's looked to an actual lineup spot all season. Maccelli rotated in with the fourth line of Kyle MacLean, Casey Cizikas and Mitchell Chaffee. Pulock was back on the blue line next to Adam Pelech.

In net, Ilya Sorokin took the starter's crease. By the beat's account he was coming off his best game of the season in Saturday's 5-4 overtime loss to the Devils at UBS Arena.

Andrew Gross

@AGrossNewsday

Two days until the next game in LA so I doubt coach Pete DeBoer will confirm any lineup stuff today. But, FWIW, Ilya Sorokin is manning the starter's crease at practice today in San Jose. He's been terrific his last two starts, deserved better in front of him.

Sorokin left before practice ended, with an EBUG in 1 net and Varlamov in the other, and then the line rushes started. Here's how it all looked with Barzal in the middle and Pulock back in the rushes:

Ethan Sears

@ethan_sears

Isles at practice today, with Ryan Pulock back in line rushes: Holmstrom-Horvat-Palmieri Heineman-Schenn-Eklund Palat-Barzal-Duclair MacLean-Cizikas-Chaffee/Maccelli Pelech-Pulock Stanley-Schaefer Hutton-DeAngelo Kessel-Mayfield the extra pair. Barzal skating in Pageau's spot.

Next is Thursday in LA, followed by Anaheim on November 14 to close out the trip. Don't expect DeBoer to say much before then. With 2 days between games, the Newsday beat doubts there'll be any clarity on Barzal or Maccelli until Thursday itself. Still, all 3 went from red to blue in 24 hours and Barzal is skating in a real spot in the lineup. Isles fans can start getting their hopes up a little.