Bo Horvat returns to Islanders' lineup, but Adam Pelech is held out again
Islanders left wing Pierre Engvall looks on in the third period of an NHL game against the Devils at UBS Arena on Oct. 20. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
BOSTON — Top-line center Bo Horvat returned after a one-game absence because of a lower-body injury but top-pair defensemen Adam Pelech was sidelined again just one game after returning from a lower-body injury.
So the Islanders’ injury woes continued as they lost their third straight, 5-2 to the Bruins at TD Garden on Thursday night.
The Islanders listed Pelech as day to day with a lower-body injury. He participated in Thursday’s optional morning skate after logging 18:45 in Tuesday’s 4-2 loss to the Wild at UBS Arena. He missed Saturday’s 4-3 overtime loss to the visiting Hurricanes after getting hurt in a hip-to-hip collision in a 3-0 win in Washington on Nov. 2.
Coach Lane Lambert would not characterize it as a setback.
“He’s battling through the same situation,” Lambert said. “He did a good job of doing that and today he couldn’t.”
Horvat did not play against the Wild after blocking a shot with his left ankle against the Hurricanes.
“It’s not pain free but for the most part I felt all right skating,” said Horvat, who had two shots in 18:22. “It stinks to miss any time. Luckily, I only missed one game.”
Rookie defenseman Samuel Bolduc logged a season-high 14:25 drawing in for Pelech. Forward Julien Gauthier remained a healthy scratch.
Mothers’ trip
Thursday concluded the first-ever mothers’ trip for the Islanders. Seventeen mothers and one sister-in-law of the players participated.
“I haven’t spent this much time with mom in years,” Mathew Barzal said. “It’s been fun to have her around and show her what we do every day. We’ve had lots of laughs. I love when the dads are along as well, it’s just a little different dynamic with the moms.”
“Definitely,” Hudson Fasching said. “A lot more embarrassing stories from when you were a child at the dinner table.”
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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