Bo Horvat Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports
ELMONT, NY — New York Islanders star center Bo Horvat exited Thursday night’s matchup against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period after suffering an apparent left-leg injury.
Forechecking into the Ducks’ zone, his right skate got tangled with Anaheim defenseman Drew Helleson’s between the circles in front of goal. While falling, his left ankle bent awkwardly as he fell to the ice, and play had to be stopped 6:52 into the second stanza.
After staying down on the ice momentarily, Horvat got up and immediately went down the tunnel to the Islanders’ locker room. The team has labeled it as a lower-body injury and said he will not return.
In the immediate aftermath of his absence, Mathew Barzal moved up to Horvat’s role as first-line center while Jean-Gabriel Pageau shifted from wing to center on the second line. His spot was filled by Simon Holmstrom on the right.
Horvat has been New York’s talisman this season, with a team-high 19 goals through the first 31 games of the season, which was tied for third in the entire NHL.
This is an updating story.
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