The Islanders need Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat to be the clutch players they were in 2023-24 going forward.

ELMONT, NY -- The New York Islanders have a goal-scoring problem and now with Anthony Duclair out long-term, the team's top players need to step it up.

While it's not fair to blame Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat for the Islanders' lack of goals this season, both haven't been producing to the level expected out of the gate.

Barzal has just one goal on 11 shots, with three assists through six games. His lone tally was an empty-netter, while two of his three assists have come on power-play goals by Horvat.

While Horvat has one more goal than Barzal, he has only three points (one assist) on 11 shots through six games.

He has yet to score an even-strength goal.

Yes, the Islanders would like to see Brock Nelson (two goals, one assist) and Kyle Palmieri (two goals, one assist) help in Duclair's absence, the top paid players need to find a way to come through in the clutch, and they just haven't enough when the team's been itching for a goal. 

Both players are in the second year of eight-year extensions, with Barzal's cap hit at $9.15 million, while Horvat's sat at $8.5 million, first and second on the team, respectively. 

When the two have been on the ice together at 5-on-5, the Islanders have outshot their opponents 43-34, but have only scored two goals, allowing one, on 45 scoring chances, per NaturalStatrick.com. 

Goal scoring isn't a new problem for the Islanders. Their lack of overall offensive production has plagued this team for the last handful of years, dating back to Barry Trotz's days.

But last season was a glimmer of hope when Barzal set a new career-high in goals (23) and recorded 80 points, the second most since his 85 in 2017-18, which won him the Calder. 

Horvat, in his first full year with the Islanders, was the player the team envisioned, scoring  33 goals with 35 assists for 68 points. 

Without Duclair, who was supposed to be the missing piece for the Islanders' top duo,  Roy is likely going to be rotating their linemate until someone wins the job or general manager Lou Lamoriello makes a trade.

It's not ideal, but if you look around the NHL, top duos find ways to be effective. 

And there's no question Barzal and Horvat have the ability to do so. But they just need to do what's made them successful and just trust their instincts. 

When Barzal has a shooting lane, he has to look to shoot rather than pass to Horvat. And when Horvat has the shooting lane, he needs to show off the quick release rather than just hesitate that extra second, which has allowed goalies the time they've needed to get over and make the stop. 

Giving these two the best linemate possible is critical, but these two produced on their own last season, and until Duclair comes back or another top-level player is brought in, they just have to mimic what they did in 2023-24 and be the difference-makers they are being paid to be.