The injuries are starting to pile up for the Islanders and that list has grown once again as Newsday’s Andrew Gross reports that the team believes that winger Oliver Wahlstrom sustained a head injury in last night’s game against Pittsburgh. The injury occurred on his first shift of the game and he did not return. Wahlstrom is on pace to set new career highs offensively with seven goals and nine assists in 35 games so far this season. He joins Kyle Palmieri, Semyon Varlamov, Adam Pelech, and Cal Clutterbuck as regulars that are currently out of the lineup.
More from the Metropolitan:
- Jack Drury’s recall to Carolina was a short-lived one. Just one day after being brought back up following a paper demotion during the holiday break, the Hurricanes announced that they’ve returned the center to AHL Chicago. The 22-year-old has played in 21 NHL games this season, notching two assists, but is averaging just shy of ten minutes a game which isn’t necessarily ideal for development. Drury has gotten into eight games with the Wolves where he has three points. With Max Pacioretty getting closer to returning, Drury’s stay in the minors might last a little longer this time.
- Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was a full participant in practice today, relays team reporter Jeff Svoboda (Twitter link). This means that he has cleared COVID protocol. Merzlikins has struggled considerably this season, posting a 4.68 GAA and a .864 SV% in 14 games thus far. Columbus is now carrying three goaltenders on the active roster so once Merzlikins gets the green light to return, it’s likely that Daniil Tarasov will be sent back to AHL Cleveland.