Barzal’s Overtime Heroics Cap Islanders’ Stunning Comeback Against Blues
TORONTO — Mathew Barzal delivered a vintage performance when his team needed it most, scoring in overtime to complete a remarkable three-goal comeback and give the New York Islanders a 4-3 victory over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night.
The 28-year-old centre from Coquitlam, B.C., took a pass from newly acquired Brayden Schenn, cut around Blues forward Jordan Kyrou, and fired a wrist shot past goaltender Joel Hofer high on the short side. The goal was Barzal’s seventh career regular-season overtime winner and his 18th of the 2025-26 campaign.
“He’s one of those special players who can change a game in a single shift,” Islanders coach Patrick Roy said after the game. “After everything he’s been through with injuries, to see him have this moment is fantastic.”
Barzal’s heroics capped a dramatic rally for the Islanders, who trailed 3-0 before mounting their comeback. The Canadian forward also contributed two assists in the contest, including one on the power play, finishing with a three-point night.
The performance continues a resurgent season for Barzal, who missed most of the 2024-25 campaign after suffering a long-term injury on February 1, 2025. Now fully healthy, he is tracking toward the 60-point mark while centring New York’s top line.
“Back healthy after two separate long-term injuries, the latter of the two claiming the rest of his 2024-25 season back on Feb. 1, the 28-year-old looks as dynamic as ever,” noted a recent analysis from The Elmonters.
Historic Context
Barzal’s career has been marked by early excellence. He won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie in 2017-18 after leading all first-year players with 85 points (63 assists). He reached the 100-goal milestone in his 400th regular-season game on January 1, 2023, and now has 152 career goals according to Hockey-Reference.
This season, Barzal has 60 points (18 goals, 42 assists) through 66 games, putting him among New York’s scoring leaders despite the team’s inconsistent performance.
Lineup Changes and Tonight’s Matchup
Coach Roy has recently decided to separate Barzal from longtime linemate Bo Horvat, creating more balanced scoring depth as the Islanders push for a playoff spot. The team faces another crucial test tonight when they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena.
The Islanders held an optional morning skate in Toronto on Tuesday ahead of the matchup. According to betting markets, Barzal is listed at +230 to score a goal against the Maple Leafs, reflecting his offensive threat despite facing one of the league’s top teams.
“Will Mathew Barzal score for the New York Islanders versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday?” asked Bleacher Nation in their pre-game analysis. “He has 18 goals in 66 games this season.”
Team Updates
In other Islanders news, goaltender Semyon Varlamov has returned to practice after undergoing two knee replacement surgeries. “Everything he does has been to get back into action,” Barzal told reporters about his teammate’s recovery. “He’s one of the last guys in here, stretching upstairs, working on his knee.”
Forward Max Shabanov (day-to-day) missed Monday’s practice with a lower-body injury, while Ilya Sorokin is expected to start in goal against Los Angeles later this week.
As the Islanders continue their playoff push, all eyes will be on their Canadian-born star to provide the offensive spark that could secure a postseason berth.