Bo Horvat Ready To Return Against Buffalo: 'It Felt Good To Be Back With The Guys'
The Islanders are getting their leading scorer back.
EAST MEADOW, NY — Bo Horvat (lower body) rejoined the New York Islanders for practice today, and he’s ready to go when the team battles the Buffalo Sabres at 1 PM on Saturday after missing the last nine games.
He’s considered a game-time decision, but he’ll play, skating alongside Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman, two players with whom he had success when healthy.
Following Friday’s practice, we spoke to Horvat. Here’s that convo, including quotes from Mathew Barzal and head coach Patrick Roy on how massive No. 14’s return is:
Q: How does it feel to back with the group?
Bo Horvat: “It felt really good, obviously, to be back with the guys and back in a regular routine practice. It’s a long road trip they were on, and it was lonely back here, skating by yourself and stuff. It felt good to be back with the guys and hopefully be good to go tomorrow.”
Q: You took extra time to heal — why was that important?
Horvat: “I just wanted to make sure it’s ready. I wanted to make sure I’m ready to go 100% and be at my best when I come back. I think I owe that to the guys and the team to come back and be ready to go. I’m feeling better and better as the days go on.”
Q: How important is it to get back before the Olympic break?
Horvat: “I think it’s a big thing, obviously. No. 1 is to be ready to go for the Islanders, but also getting some games in before you head to Milan is super important — not only for me but I think for the team as well. Kind of get back in the swing of things, get back into game shape. I’m just really excited to be back.”
Q: What was the communication like with Doug Armstrong and Hockey Canada?
Horvat: “I think Darchy’s been doing a good job of keeping them updated through my process here. We knew that it wasn’t too serious, that I’d be good to go and ready to get back for the Olympics. I was pretty confident in that, too. I’m just really excited to be back right now — not only for our team, but gearing up to go to Milan and getting some games in is going to be huge.”
Q: What are you expecting from Buffalo?
Horvat: “We’re going to expect a tough game. They’ve been playing really well as of late, scoring goals and doing a lot of good things, and their record shows it. They’re in a playoff spot, they’re fighting for their division, and we’re going to have to be ready to go here tomorrow afternoon.”
Q: Watching the road trip from home, what stood out to you?
Horvat: “I just think so much resilience — their willingness to battle through adversity and guys being out. That’s not an easy road trip: long, tiring, played against some really good teams, and the guys hung in there and played really well and came out .500, which is, in my opinion, a pretty good road trip. I’m sure it’s good to be back home with their families and get back into a routine that way, but I’m really proud of the way they played.”
Q: How tough was it skating alone and not being on the trip?
Horvat: “Yeah, it sucks. It’s not fun. It’s always fun to be around the guys, skating with them, and being around that team camaraderie. But I think it was for the best for me to heal up right away, get the proper treatment, and be ready to go when the guys got back. Feeling good and can’t wait to get playing.”
Q: Did Matt Martin hop on the ice with you?
Horvat: “No, no. He’s too lazy to do that anyway. He’s too high up. He was walking around the rink every once in a while, but no. Troy [Stevens] and Seids [Seidenberg] and those guys did a great job of keeping me in shape — even the treatment guys and the guys in the gym. I’m feeling good and ready to go.”
Q: Was there ever concern about being ready for Milan?
Horvat: “Obviously, there’s always that little doubt, but it’s in your mind, right, that hopefully it’s not too bad. Once I found out, and the way I was healing and stuff like that, that it was going to be on a good timeline, I was pretty confident that I’d be back before that and be ready to go for Milan.”
Patrick Roy: “Oh, god, yeah, it’s nice to have him back. I mean, the guys did a really nice job while he wasn’t playing. Listen, he’s our top goal scorer, and he’s playing PK and power play, and wins big face-offs. Yeah, it’s nice to have him back.”
Mathew Barzal: “It’s been a grind lately, just without him. I mean, I think we did pretty job. You know, anytime one of your top guys go down, you just want to stay afloat. And I think we did that.”
