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.”
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.”
