There is plenty of blame to go around for the Islanders’ struggles this season, but the star players’ struggles is a big reason for their poor play.

The Islanders (12-14-7) might finally be back at full strength, but they can’t afford to price in another few weeks before they actually start playing like it. Stacking points — and doing it right now — is of urgent import to avoid the season slipping away.

The New York Islanders eagerly anticipated the return of stat forward Mathew Barzal. An upper-body injury kept the 27-year-old out of action for over a month, a

Mathew Barzal had a hard time flushing Monday's 7-1 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. EAST MEADOW, NY -- The three-day holiday break was a chance for players and coaches to mentally reset, spend time with their loved ones, and give their bodies a chance to recover from the rigorous nightly battles on the ice.

Islanders head coach Patrick Roy provided two reasons why Barzal being back at the center is advantageous for the Islanders.

The Islanders are so far out of the playoff conversation that they must sell at the NHL trade deadline. General Manager Lou Lamoriello is not known for selling but this is a no-brainer. With goal-scoring forwards Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri on expiring deals, they should deal both of them.

The New York Rangers are not the only team in disarray from the Metro area in the rumor mill. Over on Long Island, the New York Islanders are also sliding and continue to have names circulate in trade rumors.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to wait a little longer before welcoming back Auston Matthews to a team that has Stanley Cup aspirations. The New York Islanders can't afford to wait much longer to begin winning and stave off a potential breakup of the core that reached consecutive NHL semifinals in 2020-21.

Islanders play one more game before the holiday break. It's against the Sabres and it might make or break their season.

Duclair makes his return to the lineup and George’s first career NHL goal holds as game-winner against the Leafs

Pittsburgh Penguins coach Mike Sullivan has seen enough of the New York Islanders to know what they’re about. And he knows, even if they’ve largely struggled this season, the Islanders still present a stiff challenge to the Penguins.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Duclair also scored, and Mathew Barzal and Alexander Romanov each had two assists for New York.