Mathew Barzal has taken the next step in his recovery.

Two weeks after beginning to skate alone, Barzal joined the Islanders for practice on Friday morning, an important step forward as he attempts to get back for the playoffs, which begin on Monday night in Carolina.

Barzal had not done anything with the team since leaving the Islanders’ Feb. 18 loss to the Bruins during the first period after taking a knee-to-knee hit from Craig Smith.

The Islanders have been coy about giving any kind of timeline, but two days after the injury, they did say the plan was for Barzal to return this season.

If the superstar forward gets back for Game 1 against the Hurricanes, it would change the outlook completely for the Islanders.

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Although it took them all 82 games to clinch a playoff berth, the Islanders played just six full games this season with both Barzal and Bo Horvat, who the Islanders acquired from the Canucks ahead of the NHL trade deadline.