In a challenging moment for the New York Islanders, team captain Bo Horvat sustained a lower-body injury during Thursday's game against the Utah Mammoth, casting uncertainty over his upcoming Olympic preparations.

The incident occurred when Horvat became entangled with Utah defenseman Sean Durzi, forcing him to exit the game with just 12 minutes remaining in what ultimately became a lopsided 7-2 home loss.

Despite the setback, Horvat remains a critical asset for the Islanders, leading the team in scoring with an impressive 33 points and a team-high 21 goals - nine more than his next closest teammate.

Coach Patrick Roy confirmed that Horvat will undergo a medical evaluation to determine the extent of his injury, a development that comes at a particularly sensitive time given the player's recent selection to Canada's Olympic roster.

This isn't the first injury challenge for the 30-year-old London, Ontario native, who previously missed five games in December due to a separate health issue.

The Islanders and their fans will be anxiously awaiting further details about Horvat's condition, hoping the injury proves minor and doesn't compromise his Olympic participation or critical role with the team.