It’s early November, still time for experiments in the chemistry lab on every NHL team. But the Islanders already have a reaction that need not be tinkered with moving forward.

Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal are combusting on the top line, as they did two seasons ago, and show every sign of being hockey soulmates, this time for the long haul.

“They’re both very good skaters, they’re both very high-skill guys,” coach Patrick Roy said after practice on Thursday.

“For some reason, they feel each other on the ice. They see each other. It’s been working really well for both of them.”

Barzal’s 2024-25 season was derailed by injury, and he began the current campaign as a center on the second line.

But for the past three games, starting late in Friday’s game against Washington , a stretch in w

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