Jean-Gabriel Pageau returns, but Brock Nelson and Zdeno Chara miss Islanders' win with illness
New York Islanders center Jean-Gabriel Pageau before a faceoff against the Florida Panthers at UBS Arena on April 19, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
WASHINGTON — The Islanders were able to dress only 11 forwards — one fewer than usual — for Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over the Capitals at Capital One Arena even with center Jean-Gabriel Pageau returning to the lineup after three games while in COVID-19 protocol.
But top-line center Brock Nelson, already in uniform for warmups, was the latest to be felled by the non-COVID-19 illness going around the Islanders’ room.
“He just got sick and he said, ‘I’m not going to be able to help,’” coach Barry Trotz said. “Our room is hacking and coughing and there’s a lot of guys sick.”
Center Otto Koivula was returned to the Islanders’ AHL affiliate in Bridgeport from emergency recall earlier in the day after notching an assist in three games filling in for Pageau.
Defenseman Zdeno Chara also missed the game because of illness but the Islanders were able to bring up Robin Salo from Bridgeport on emergency recall. Salo logged 12:40.
Center Mathew Barzal played a game-high 24:05 but the official scoresheet had Oliver Wahlstrom on ice for just 6:09 and Kieffer Bellows logging 8:57.
“Just keep your shifts short at the start, get the legs going,” Casey Cizikas said. “You’re going to get back out there. Don’t let one shift bother you. Have the memory of a goldfish.”
Assistant coach Jim Hiller also rejoined the Islanders after testing positive and missing three games. Associate coach Lane Lambert remains in COVID-19 protocol.
Palmieri's jinx
Kyle Palmieri had what would have been his 200th career goal disallowed at 8:57 of the first period when the Capitals successfully challenged Zach Parise had interfered with Capitals goalie Ilya Samsonov.
Trotz said, by the Islanders’ counting, that’s the seventh goal this season Palmieri has had waved off.
“Hockey gods are funny,” Cizikas said. “He’s going to get rewarded one way or another.”
WASHINGTON — Center Jean-Gabriel Pageau returned to the Islanders’ lineup after missing the previous three games while in COVID-19 protocol.
But the Islanders still had to play one skater short Tuesday night against the Capitals at Capital One Arena with center Brock Nelson and defenseman Zdeno Chara both very late scratches with a non-COVID-19 illness.
It was another unexpected twist in an odd season that will end on Friday with the Islanders missing the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Defenseman Robin Salo was brought up from the Islanders’ AHL affiliate on emergency recall and was inserted in Chara’s place, paired with Noah Dobson.
But, earlier in the day, the Islanders returned center Otto Koivula to Bridgeport from emergency recall after he had an assist in three games filling in for Pageau. Anthony Beauvillier (upper body) missed his fourth straight game.
“I was surprised,” Pageau said of his bout with COVID-19. “I had my parents in town and I wasn’t feeling great. So I tested at home and came back positive. I’m glad that it’s over and the whole family is healthy and safe.”
Assistant coach Jim Hiller also rejoined the Islanders after testing positive and missing three games. Associate coach Lane Lambert remains in COVID-19 protocol.
Trotz backs Chara
Coach Barry Trotz believes Chara, named on Monday as the Islanders’ nominee for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perseverance, dedication and sportsmanship, should win the award. The Professional Hockey Writers’ Association votes among the nominees from each of the 32 teams.
Chara, 45, is in his 24th NHL season.
“A man that loves the game,” Trotz said. “At 45, he plays it like he’s 25. He doesn’t take a practice off. He doesn’t take a game off. He’s totally invested in every aspect of the game. He’s a good teacher to the rest of the league on the pride a player takes in being a good pro.
“He gets my vote for that, for sure. This is something that would be well deserved and be smart by the league.”
Isles files
Anthony Beauvillier (upper body) missed his fourth game and remains day-to-day . . . Defenseman Sebastian Aho, 26, on Chara: “He’s been in the league longer than I’ve been alive, pretty much.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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