Islanders Bench Star Mathew Barzal After Late Arrival

The New York Islanders scratched star center Mathew Barzal for Thursday’s road game at Carolina after he arrived late to the morning skate, a decision coach Patrick Roy described as enforcing the team’s culture and accountability; Roy said Barzal accepted the punishment and will be back Friday in Washington. Roy emphasized that “no one here is mad” and framed the move as an organizational standard rather than singling out the player. Barzal — in the third season of his eight-year, $73.2 million deal — has two goals and six assists (eight points) through nine games, underscoring that even top players won’t get a pass. The lineup for the Hurricanes game saw adjustments (expected to dress seven defensemen) and opened the door for Cal Ritchie or another forward to make his Islanders debut, while Alexander Romanov was activated off injured reserve. The scratch comes amid a rollercoaster 4-4-1 start under Roy as the team presses for consistency and buy-in to its standards.