Mikhail Grabovski returns to Islanders' lineup

Mikhail Grabovski said he actually considered going back into the game against the Sharks on Oct. 16 after being laid out by San Jose enforcer John Scott's big, legal check in the first period.

"If my shoulder wasn't hurting, I probably would have," Grabovski said Saturday morning. Instead, he sat out, went home and woke up with concussion symptoms, which forced him out of the lineup for three games before his return Saturday night.

Grabovski said he didn't feel too poorly that next morning, but the Islanders took no chances and held him out of any activity until Oct. 20. Once Grabovski returned to the ice for practice at the beginning of the week, he needed only a few days to get up to speed.

Now Grabovski has to make sure he plays more aggressively in the offensive zone so he's not in position to be on the receiving end of a hit like the one Scott delivered.

"If I play harder, I think that won't happen," he said. "Just be more aware."

Josh Bailey (broken hand) went on injured reserve to create a roster spot for Grabovski.

Hamonic still out

Travis Hamonic (upper body) missed a second straight game with an injury he suffered last weekend in Pittsburgh. He hasn't been on the ice since Tuesday night's loss to the Maple Leafs.

With an off day for the Islanders Sunday, Hamonic might not get back into action before the team heads off on a five-game road trip that begins in Denver on Thursday night. The Isles' next game is Tuesday at the Coliseum against the Jets.

De Haan gets physicalCalvin de Haan jumped into the lineup after missing the first three games of the season and has been throwing his body around ever since.

"I think I always try to be physical," said de Haan, who was credited with only five hits in four games entering Saturday night. "Skilled guys don't like getting hit much. I haven't put up big numbers yet or anything, so I'm just trying to play a simple game and finish my checks."