The New York Islanders will be without their top-line centre against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Head coach Patrick Roy made Mathew Barzal a healthy scratch on Thursday for disciplinary reasons, he told reporters after morning skate.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Barzal was late to the rink on Thursday morning and that Calum Ritchie, who was acquired by the Islanders as part of the Brock Nelson trade, will make his debut in Long Island in his place.

The 28-year-old Barzal, a native of Coquitlam, B.C., has two goals and eight points in nine games this season.

Barzal put up the best numbers in 2023-24 since his rookie season, with 80 points in 80 games, but was hamstrung by a knee injury last season.

Ritchie, 20, was selected 27th overall by the Colorado Avalanche in 2023 and

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