Bo Horvat takes his share of responsibility for the Islanders’ first-round ousting

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Top center Bo Horvat accepted his share of the blame for the lack of consistent production in the Islanders’ six-game first-round loss to the Hurricanes.

But Horvat, the Islanders’ flagship acquisition this season, was far from alone in struggling offensively among the team’s top nine forwards. Only Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri, who had two goals and three assists each, had more than two points in the series among the nonets. Fourth-line center Casey Cizikas, with a goal and two assists, was the second-highest scorer after Nelson and Palmieri.

The Islanders’ season ended with a 2-1 overtime loss in Game 6 on Friday night at UBS Arena.

President/GM Lou Lamoriello tried to bolster the Islanders’ inconsistent offense by acquiring Horvat from the Canucks on Jan. 30 for top forward Aatu Raty, winger Anthony Beauvillier and a 2023 first-round pick, then importing the Maple Leafs left winger Pierre Engvall on Feb. 28 for a 2024 third-round pick.

Engvall, a pending unrestricted free agent, had five goals and four assists in 18 regular season games for the Islanders and one goal and one assist against the Hurricanes.

Horvat had already tied his career-high 31 goals with 23 assists in 49 games for the Canucks when he was acquired and quickly signed an eight-year, $68 million extension that begins next season. He finished with seven goals and nine assists in 30 regular season games for the Islanders, then fizzled with a goal and an assist against the Hurricanes.

They’re a special group, Horvat said after Friday’s final loss. I’m sure a lot of guys have said that. I am proud to be here. I’m proud to be a New York Islander. Of course, I hold myself somewhat responsible. You want to produce. At the end of the day, I would have liked to be on the game sheet a bit more and help the team offensively. It just wasn’t. It stinks like that.

Horvat was also on the first power play unit as the Islanders 1 for 18 (5.5%) showing on the man advantage was another key factor in their elimination.

I definitely own having to be better,” Horvat said.

Again, Horvat was far from the only one struggling.

His line with Mathew Barzal, who returned to the lineup for Game 1 after a 23-game absence with a knee injury, and captain Anders Lee combined for four goals and one assist. Jean-Gabriel Pageaus, third line with Zach Parise and Hudson Fasching, managed to compile only one assist.

The Nelsons line with Palmieri and Engvall finished with five goals and seven assists.

They were fighting, coach Lane Lambert said of his top nine. They gave him absolutely everything they had. There wasn’t much ice for either team. That’s how the series unfolded. It was not easy.

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He started reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. Johns and MLB.

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