Isles lose Barzal to upper-body injury

BUFFALO – The Islanders suddenly have a major injury concern with senior receiver Matthew Barzal.

The team announced Friday morning before its game against the Sabers at KeyBank Center that Barzal was returning to Long Island with an upper-body injury. The team added that a timeline for Barzal’s return will not be available until after an examination by team doctors.

Barzal scored 2 goals and 3 assists in 10 matches.

The pair’s top defender, Alexander Romanov, returned to the lineup after missing three games with an upper-body injury.

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began covering the NHL in 2003 and had previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments Jets, St. It included St. John’s and MLB.