
RALEIGH, NC -- Let's start with the bad news.
New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair will not be able to get into the lineup against the Carolina Hurricanes despite traveling on this mini two-game trip.
The 29-year-old was ruled out of playing Sunday against the Chicago Blackhawks, but head coach Patrick Roy didn't close the book on him returning to the lineup on Tuesday when we spoke Saturday before their flight to the Windy City.
The book, however, is closed following Tuesday's morning skate as Duclair will miss his 28th game of the season after signing a four-year deal worth $3.5 million annually on July 1.
Okay, now it's time for the good news.
Duclair, who is on long-term injured reserve, has been medically cleared, and now it's just about waiting until Duclair feels 100% good to go.
While Duclair won't play, it seems he'll skate alongside Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee to start when he is ready to go.
That's how the Islanders lineup at the morning skate, where he was a full participant:
We'll see if Duclair will be able to play this upcoming Satuday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The other piece of good news is that Bo Horvat, who missed Sunday's loss due to a lower-body injury, was a full participant in Tuesday's morning skate.
Although he's being labeled as a game-time decision, the expectation is that he will play.
Puck drop against the Hurricanes is coming your way at 7:30 PM ET, on ESPN+/Hulu, exclusively.