Islanders lineup nearing full strength with stars getting set for returns

CHICAGO — The Islanders’ lineup is going to look different Sunday. It might just look a little bit more like what they envisioned in training camp. Adam Pelech, who has missed the last six weeks with a jaw injury, will return against the Blackhawks, coach Patrick Roy confirmed after Saturday’s practice.Mat Barzal, who has missed the same duration with an upper-body injury, is likely to play in Chicago as well, but is being officially called a game-time decision. And while Anthony Duclair (suspected groin) won’t return Sunday, he is making the trip — which indicates there is at least a chance he will come back in Carolina on Tuesday night. “All those guys, you think about those guys and what they mean — I think they make us a better team,” Brock Nelson said.

“To see them all back skating, traveling with us now, it’s encouraging, for sure.It makes everyone in here better as a team.

It’s huge to get those players back.” The decks were cleared for Barzal to come off LTIR on Saturday as well after Pierre Engvall and Oliver Wahlstrom passed through waivers, with the Bruins claiming Wahlstrom.More maneuvering will be necessary, however, to activate Duclair when the time comes. Good as that news was, Saturday was not all roses for the Isles. Bo Horvat, who did not play the last 9:49 in Thursday’s win over the Blackhawks, did not practice Saturday and was called day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

He will make the trip — a good sign that this is only a short-term issue — but Roy did not commit to his playing in the return match against Chicago. So it is possible that after going six weeks with just one-third of their opening night top line, the Islanders will play Sunday with a different ⅓ percentage of it.  Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.Please provide a valid email address.

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