Injured Islanders star Mathew Barzal set to begin skating soon

TAMPA, Fla. — The Islanders delivered the news their fan base wanted to hear: Mathew Barzal will begin skating shortly. General manager Lou Lamoriello said the plan is for Barzal, who has been out since suffering a suspected knee injury in Boston on Feb. 18, to start skating on his own either Saturday or Sunday — a vital step in order for the superstar forward to return by the playoffs. “How long it takes, I couldn’t tell you, but he will begin skating either today or tomorrow. We’ll just go from there,” Lamoriello said before the Islanders’ 5-0 loss to…