The Islanders are facing a tough playoff push without two key veterans, Ryan Pulock and Anthony Duclair, both sidelined with lower-body injuries. Pulock has been a defensive stalwart, averaging nearly 21 minutes per game and contributing 25 points alongside a team-leading 124 blocked shots. Duclair, meanwhile, has rebounded from a rough start with the team, providing secondary scoring with 12 goals and 15 assists in 60 games, although he's currently in a scoring drought since January 21st.
In other NHL injury news, the Blackhawks will be without defenseman Matt Grzelcyk after he sustained an injury in a game against Nashville. Grzelcyk, who signed a one-year deal with Chicago following a 40-point season in Pittsburgh, has been a steady presence on the young roster, missing just one game this season. His absence on the upcoming road trip means he'll miss the next four games.
For the Flames, winger Connor Zary is day-to-day with an upper-body injury after a hit from Florida’s A.J. Greer, who received a three-game suspension for the play.
Zary, with 11 goals and 13 assists in 67 games, has seen a dip in production compared to last season's 27 points in 54 games. On a brighter note, defenseman Yan Kuznetsov is close to returning from his own upper-body injury.
After clearing waivers in training camp, Kuznetsov has become a regular fixture in Calgary’s lineup since his recall in November.