ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Islanders’ early-season glut of injuries took another victim on Thursday night before their match against the Wild had gotten properly underway.
Ryan Pulock left the game with an upper-body injury early in the first period after playing just 51 seconds and didn’t return, leaving the Isles with just five defensemen for, essentially, the duration.
While the Islanders do have a ready replacement in Matt Kessel, should Pulock require additional recovery time, they already are without an extra forward on the roster, and would be without an extra defenseman if they don’t call someone up.
They face the Oilers at home on Halloween afternoon and then have four days off before a three-game homestand resumes against the Hurricanes.
In addition to Pulock, Calum Ritchie and Matias Maccelli are both dealing with lower-body injuries and Mat Barzal remains out due to a flare-up with his left knee.
