The current NHL landscape is seeing several key players dealing with injuries, impacting their respective teams as we head into a crucial part of the season. Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames took a maintenance day, while teammate Aydar Suniev has been working off-ice due to injury concerns. Colorado Avalanche's Jonathan Drouin and Martin Necas missed a recent game due to lower-body injuries, while Dallas Stars' Jamie Benn also sat out with a maintenance issue. The Detroit Red Wings await goaltender Petr Mrazek's return, who needs to practice before rejoining game action.

In Edmonton, Leon Draisaitl left a game early, his third after returning from an undisclosed injury. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov is day-to-day with an upper-body injury, though Coach Paul Maurice is optimistic about his recovery timeline. The Nashville Predators have recalled Ozzy Wiesblatt due to injuries to Colton Sissons and Jonathan Marchessault, and goaltender Spencer Stastney is also sidelined. Notably, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair is taking time off for personal reflection, following a tough stretch of games. The Ottawa Senators face a similar situation with Brady Tkachuk missing games due to upper-body and hip injuries. Lastly, the Pittsburgh Penguins are getting Evgeni Malkin back into the fold, as they navigate their injury-plagued roster.

Anthony Duclair's absence from the New York Islanders has been confirmed by head coach Patrick Roy, following a critical appraisal of the player's recent performance. Duclair's struggles culminated in a disappointing showing during a recent loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, prompting Roy to describe his effort as 'god-awful'. During their conversation, Duclair expressed a need for time off to reflect on his play, which has seen him register a career-low minus-15 rating over 44 games this season.

Despite signing a lucrative four-year contract earlier this season, Duclair's struggles have mirrored the Islanders' broader team challenges, as they find themselves winless in six games and trailing the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. With just eight games left in the season, the Islanders are in a precarious position, needing to improve not only Duclair's performance but also the team's overall results to secure a playoff berth.

The New York Islanders are struggling, and head coach Patrick Roy did not hold back in his criticism of forward Anthony Duclair after a recent loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning. Duclair played only 12:15 in the game, finishing with no points and a minus-1 rating. Coach Roy labeled his performance as 'god-awful,' suggesting that Duclair's effort and competitiveness have been lacking, a sentiment further emphasized by his repeated low ice time in recent games.

With just 7 goals and 4 assists over 44 games this season, Duclair's production has dipped significantly, indicating a potential career low. He signed a four-year, $14 million contract with the Islanders last summer but has yet to find his footing with the team. The Islanders now find themselves winless in their last six games, trailing behind in the playoff race, and Duclair's inability to step up has raised concerns for fans and management alike.

Bo Horvat's overtime goal propelled the New York Islanders to a nail-biting 4-3 victory over the Montreal Canadiens, marking their third consecutive win. Ilya Sorokin not only made 38 saves but also recorded two assists, becoming the first Islanders goalie to achieve multiple points in a game. The Islanders have turned around their season, going 7-3-1 in their last 11 games after a rough patch. The victory puts them within two points of the Canadiens for the second wild-card playoff spot.

Despite the defeat, the Canadiens have remained resilient, earning points in 11 of their last 12 games. Brendan Gallagher's goal tied the game late in the third period after the Canadiens had trailed 3-1. Notably, Horvat's decisive goal capped a brilliant 2-on-1 rush, showcasing his skill as he beat goaltender Sam Montembeault on the short side. The Islanders' performance is a testament to their improved play and determination as they aim for a playoff berth.

The New York Islanders faced another setback as they lost 4-3 to the Dallas Stars, marking their third consecutive defeat. Despite a strong start, the game turned when Casey Cizikas received a match penalty for a hit deemed to target the head of Lian Bichsel. This led to a crucial power play for the Stars, allowing Jason Robertson to complete a hat trick. Coach Patrick Roy expressed his disagreement with the penalty, believing the hit was clean, while players like Anthony Duclair and Kyle Palmieri echoed similar sentiments.

In a game filled with controversial calls, the Islanders nearly equalized late in the third period through Jean-Gabriel Pageau, only for the goal to be disallowed due to goaltender interference. The Islanders now sit five points behind the Ottawa Senators for the final Wild Card spot, making their playoff aspirations increasingly precarious.