RALEIGH, N.C. — The Islanders laid down a gauntlet on Thursday morning, making Mat Barzal a healthy scratch against the Hurricanes as punishment for being late to the rink.

“That’s the culture of our team,” coach Patrick Roy said. “And we made the decision not to play him tonight. And Barzy’s not happy, he doesn’t feel good about it. He respects the decision, he understands it. He was really good about it.

“Like I said to him, it happened to me when I was in Colorado. Different way, but [I] missed a practice, missed two games. That’s the culture of our team, we believe in it. But he’s good about it. He’s very good about it.”

Mathew Barzal #13 of the New York Islanders skates with the puck against Jonathan Aspirot #45 of the Boston Bruins during the second period on Oct. 28, 2025. NHLI

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