Islanders Practice: Latest on Horvat, Mayfield & Pelech

After Sunday's off-day, the New York Islanders were back on the practice ice Monday. They were missing two key pieces to their lineup but did welcome a key piece back.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- After Sunday's off-day, the New York Islanders were back on the practice ice Monday. They were missing two critical pieces to their lineup but did welcome a key piece back. 

There's a lot to discuss in this jam-packed practice update. 

The Islanders and their fan base held their breath when Bo Horvat left Saturday's game in the third period after blocking a Brady Skjei shot. 

A sigh of relief could be heard when he returned to the bench, and the ice, about five or so minutes later, before finishing the game, which included a shift in overtime. 

However, he was not on the practice ice Monday and is being considered day-to-day.

He will be re-evaluated on Tuesday, per head coach Lane Lambert. 

In his absence, Mathew Barzal returned to his natural center position while Oliver Wahlstrom (scratched last two games) jumped in on his right. 

Barzal hasn't played center since Jan. 28 against the Vegas Golden Knights but has no issues returning to the position he's played his entire life. 

"I know if one of the guys [centers] gets hurt, I'll have to fill in," Barzal said following practice.

Wahlstrom played a majority of last season with Barzal before he suffered his ACL injury and learned what needs to be better with the shifty forward this time around. 

"Yeah, he's obviously a really good skater. He creates a lot," Wahlstrom said. "You just kind of have to try to read him as best you can and get open. Sometimes, he makes that extra cut-back, so it's important to put yourself in the best possible spot. He's a world-class player.

Wahlstrom looked much stronger defensively his last time out but did miss a few shots. Here's what he had to say about that. 

"I mean, I'm a sharpshooter, man," Wahlstrom said. "Those corners are really small. So obviously, I'm going to miss a few because  I take those chances. I know I can pick those corners, so that's that's my game."

Scott Mayfield returned to the Islanders lineup Thursday in Washington D.C. after a seven-game absence due to suffering an ankle injury in the season-opener.

After playing against the Capitals, Mayfield seemed to suffer another injury early in Saturday's game against the Carolina Hurricanes, but he remained in.

He was absent Monday morning, with the Islanders stating that it was maintenance, not a re-aggravation of the ankle injury. 

"Maintenance for him. Day-to-day again," Lambert said. 

Samuel Bolduc remains in the lineup, back alongside Sebastian Aho.

Bolduc has been taken out of the rotation in most, if not all, of the games he's played in, but we will have more on that Tuesday morning after speaking with a few defensemen on the added minutes. 

In the game against the Capitals, Adam Pelech left the game early in the first period following a hit on forward Aliakskei Protas at the Islanders blue line. 

Following the impact, Pelech came up holding his left hip, leaving the game, and didn't return. 

"Honestly, during the hit, I didn't feel too much, but once I tried to get up and move or whatever, it definitely didn't feel great," Pelech told The Hockey News. "So, it's come a long way over the past few days. And I'm eager to get back in the lineup.

"I'm feeling okay. Day-to-day."

THN asked Pelech if he missed Saturday's game just for precaution, not wanting something small to turn into something more long-term. 

"Hard to say, but like, no. If I could have played, I would have played."

Lambert thought Pelech "looked okay" in Monday's practice. 

"I thought he was okay. "We'll see how he is after practice here moving forward."