Ilya Sorokin chat EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/] and their fans only got to see Anthony Duclair, the club's one of two offseason signings, play the better part of five games before he went down with an injury. They'll see him return to the ice against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at 7 PM: Duclair has recorded two goals and an assist, the first a power-play goal that went off his foot in the first game of the season against the Utah Hockey Club: The second came in the Islanders' first win of the season, a 6-2 beatdown of the Colorado Avalanche: Duclair won't be playing with Mathew Barzal or Bo Horvat, the two players he skated with for most of the preseason. Instead, he'll be with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Regardless of who he plays with, the team isn't concerned about production when it comes to No. 11. "Duke's one of those guys where you can insert him wherever, whenever," Barzal said on Friday afternoon. "He's a guy that plays the game the right way, so it's easy to have chemistry with him right away. He's going to be fine. We're pumped to have him back." What makes Duclair so versatile? "First of all, he's a good skater," Roy said. "He's got good vision, sees the ice well, and has got a good shot. That will open up the ice for [Nelson and Palmieri]." The Islanders have averaged 2.54 goals with Duclair out, and it's important that he helps spark the team offensively. The team has needed a finisher for years, and Barzal was asked if Duclair is that kind of player. "Big time. He's had 30 goals a bunch of years. Even watching him in practice, shooting the puck, he can rip it," Barzal said. "He's got great instincts offensively, so I think it's going to be a big add to our offense." If the Islanders are going to climb the standings, Duclair will have to play a big part.
