TEMPE, Ariz. — Mathew Barzal was named an All-Star for the third time in his career, as the NHL released the initial list of players who will head to Toronto in a month, one from each team, on Thursday.
Barzal was also named an All-Star in 2019 and 2020, and later won the Fastest Skater award, coming just 0.003 seconds shy of setting the all-time record.
The Islanders winger switched from center last February with the arrival of Bo Horvat and has had a great start to the season playing alongside him.
Barzal had two assists in Thursday's 5-1 win over the Coyotes and is on pace to average more points per game for the second time in his career with 39 points in the first 37 games of the season. ing.
“I'm happy to have been chosen,” Barzal said. “Obviously, we have some players on the team who have had great starts, some of whom could have had great starts.” [could’ve] Had disappeared. I hope other boys will vote too.
“It's exciting. You're in the best position in the game. That's where I want to be. I'm looking forward to it.”
Barzal marked the occasion with an assist to Mike Riley in the first period, giving him his 400th career point.
“I'm very happy with his performance,” coach Lane Lambert said. “It's very special to be an All-Star in the National Hockey League, and he's a special player.”
The Islanders have several other players, with fan voting to select the final 12 All-Stars closing on Jan. 11, with Horvat and defenseman Noah Dobson among others likely to be named.
Brock Nelson and Ilya Sorokin, who represented South Florida last year, could also get shots as well.
Lambert said Semyon Varlamov has been dealing with a lower-body injury since being ejected in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Avalanche.
“We don't know when he'll be able to play,” Lambert said. “He’s getting better at him day by day, so we’ll see where it goes from there.”
Varlamov remained on the road with the islanders.
Ken Appleby, who was called up to the AHL on Thursday, backed up Sorokin in Varlamov's absence.
Sebastian Aho appeared to hurt his right leg on Tuesday when he was hit by Samuel Girard, but he returned to action along with Robert Bortuzzo (lower body) on injured reserve.
“It was really great in the locker room because Robert came in and did a great job of providing leadership. We're really going to lose that, it's a very important piece of the puzzle,” Lambert said. Ta. “And he's big and tough. It's a shame he got hurt.”
Matt Martin returned in place of Hudson Fassing, skating in the fourth row with the usual suspects Casey Cizikas and Cal Clutterbuck.
