Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech returned to the New York Islanders lineup after extended absences due to injuries, providing a much-needed boost to a team struggling with multiple sidelined players.
Barzal, who missed 21 games, and Pelech, who was out since early November, rejoined the team as they faced the Chicago Blackhawks. The Islanders have also been without goaltender Semyon Varlamov and forward Anthony Duclair, among others, impacting their performance this season.