CHICAGO — Matt Barzal looked like Christmas came early.
After six weeks on the sidelines, Barzal and Adam Pelech will return from injury Sunday afternoon against the Blackhawks, joining an Islanders team that suddenly appears to be moving up in contention for a wild-card spot in the empty Eastern Conference. It's getting closer to being dominant.
“The players have done a great job the last six weeks,” Barzal said before the game. “Every game was exciting. You saw how much they competed and everyone stepped up. I just want to go back and feed off of that. I want to act with these guys. Please.”
Barzal, who suffered an upper-body injury, skated alone for two weeks before rejoining the team for Thursday's morning skate. Pelech, Anthony Duclair and Mike Riley were also injured, so the four spent a lot of time together during their respective rehabilitation processes.
“That was the one thing that kept us all going,” Barzal said. “My mom flew down and we spent a little time together, just finding little things to do. We played chess, read a little bit, but there was nothing I could do. Spend time at the rink. Long days. Long hours of training.”
Pelech, who injured his jaw six weeks ago when he took a puck to the face against Buffalo, will play Sunday wearing what he described as a “chin visor” rather than a full-face shield. He's not sure how long it will take to have it removed.
“He definitely didn't eat solid food for several weeks,” Perek said. “But once I was cleared to eat, I immediately felt like I put the weight back on and was able to work out and get back in shape.”
The Islanders entered Sunday with a chance to move above NHL-500 for the first time since Oct. 25 and get past the playoff cut line with a win over the last-place Blackhawks.
Duclair (groin doubt) and Riley (heart) remain sidelined, but there are positive signs for both. While Duclair is on the road and nearing his return, Riley was spotted skating by himself for the first time on Saturday.
“I think we'll be back here soon and I hope the players are excited,” Barzal said. “I really think that's the case. We're just trying to come out here and tune in to the competition and the energy that they've been bringing the last six weeks.”
