On top of having seven players in COVID-19 protocol and their top defenseman on injured reserve, the Islanders have now lost their leading scorer as well.
Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello announced Tuesday that Brock Nelson is expected to be sidelined for two to four weeks with an undisclosed lower-body injury, which he suffered in the second period of the Isles’ 3-0 loss to the Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Nelson’s 11 points (nine goals, two assists) in 15 games currently leads the Islanders.
It’s the latest blow to the Islanders’ lineup, which is currently a skeleton of its usual form. With the recalls of defenseman Thomas Hickey and forward Anatolii Golyshev on Tuesday, there are now eight players who were brought up from the team’s AHL affiliate in Bridgeport, Conn., on the Isles’ active roster.
“All they have control of is their play and getting ready to play,” Lamoriello said. “They’re not dwelling on anything. This is a good group, a veteran group. I would hope that the veterans, I know they are, helping the younger players, the players that come in to stay focused.”
“So right now they’re doing everything they possibly can, as is the coaching staff.”
The Islanders now have seven players in COVID-19 protocol after defenseman Zdeno Chara tested positive on Tuesday, joining Josh Bailey, Anders Lee, Ross Johnston, Adam Pelech, Andy Greene and Kieffer Bellows. Bailey is still quarantined in Florida, according to Lamoriello.
Rangers coach Gerard Gallant opted to keep winger Dryden Hunt on a line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider during Tuesday’s practice after giving the offseason addition an extended look in that spot in the win over the Sabres on Sunday.
Though he recognizes how big of an opportunity it is to play with two of the Rangers’ top veterans, Hunt said he doesn’t plan on changing his game just because he’s skating in the top six now.
“I think maybe I’m getting an opportunity for a reason, because of the way I play,” he said after practice. “Maybe they needed a little bit of that. I know I’m not going to change my game at all. Obviously it’s a great opportunity to play with guys like that, it doesn’t come around often.So just try to make the most of it.”
Gallant said he hopes Hunt doesn’t change his game, either. If anything, Gallant wants Hunt to shoot a little more. Hunt, who scored his first goal as a Ranger against the Maple Leafs last week, added he believes his role on his new line is to be hard on the forecheck and to get to pucks first.
“We’ve liked him from Day 1, from the first day of training camp,” Gallant said of Hunt. “I didn’t know the kid real well. I had him when he was a young player back in Florida, just come out of junior, but didn’t know much about him. But he’s played well, he’s worked hard, he’s played a complete game for us and it’s an opportunity [for him].”
With Hunt up in the top six, Barclay Goodrow was dropped down to the fourth line next to Kevin Rooney and Ryan Reaves.
Since 2011-12, the Rangers have played in a new arena five times and are 3-1-1 in their inaugural appearances in those buildings — including the 3-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Halloween.