Nelson, Cizikas both return to action to fortify lines
A couple of weeks ago, the Islanders were without as many as 10 players between injuries and COVID-19 protocol. Now, nine of them are back.
Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson were activated prior to the 4-2 win over the Devils on Saturday night. Both played, with Nelson notching 16:52 of ice time, two shots and three blocks. Cizikas, in 14:05, had two shots. Austin Czarnik and Otto Koivula were sent down to AHL Bridgeport to make room on the roster.
“We’ve obviously been hit with some ugly scenarios this year,” Mathew Barzal said. “To almost have a full roster back, the exception of [Ryan Pulock], that’s obviously a boost. Nelly’s been a boost for us and [Cizikas] does what he does every night.
“I thought both guys did a good job getting their feet wet early. Nellie had some good chances, he was doing his thing.”
Nelson, whose nine goals lead the team, missed seven games with a lower-body injury. Cizikas tested positive for COVID-19, prompting the NHL to postpone two games the week after Thanksgiving. Cizikas, who missed five games, said Saturday morning that he suffered some symptoms of the virus.
Nelson had been the best scorer on a team severely lacking for offense. Moreover, he had played 316 consecutive games, the secondlongest in team history, before going down.
“I’ve never had to deal with any injuries luckily,” Nelson said before the game. “Doctors did a good job assessing right away, getting me back and feeling good. Missing time is not fun. Watching games, it’s a different game watching up top. You want to be involved and in the mix, get the juices going, and then help the team win.”
➤ The Devils’ Nico Hischier and Ryan Graves entered COVID-19 protocol and didn’t play for the Devils on Saturday. Hischier is the Devils’ captain, and Graves averages 20:59 per night of time on ice.
➤ After two assists Saturday, Oliver Wahlstrom has eight points in his last six games for the Islanders. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who had a goal and an assist, has five points in his last five games.
➤ Islanders coach Barry Trotz said Ryan Pulock, the only Islander left on IR, has yet to return to the ice. Pulock has been out with a lower-body injury since Nov. 16. The original timetable was 4-6 weeks.
➤ Anthony Beauvillier was a healthy scratch after Trotz called out his mistake that led to a Predators goal Thursday. Sebastian Aho was also a healthy scratch, with Robin Salo back in the lineup for the first time since Nov. 26.