Injuries are an unfortunate and unforgiving aspect of hockey.
For New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri, they’ve also been unavoidable.
Since joining the New York Islanders, Palmieri has yet to play a full season for the team. In the last two years, he’s missed a combined 68 games during the regular season, dealing with a lower-body injury and two separate stints in concussion protocol.
So far this year, though, Palmieri has managed to stay out of the training room and in the lineup.
In 39 games, he’s accounted for nine goals and 21 points. Although he’s in the midst of a season-long 11-game scoring drought that continued Saturday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, Palmieri is on pace for his best statistical season as a member of the Islanders.
“It’s hard to put up consistent numbers and feel good about your game when you’re missing big chunks of the season,” Palmieri told Hockey Now before the Islanders’ recent road trip. “Right now, I’m just really focused on going day by day and trying to help the team win.”
Palmieri managing to stay healthy thus far is not only noteworthy for him but crucial for the team as a whole.
The Islanders have worked through a myriad of injuries this season, especially on the backend. Any absence upfront from Palmieri would surely be felt.
“He’s a physical presence,” head coach Lane Lambert said. “He’s a power forward who goes to the net front for the other two guys. It’s been extremely important and will continue to be extremely important.”
Those other two guys are Palmieri’s linemates, Brock Nelson and Pierre Engvall.
Since uniting in March of last season, the trio has made for the Islanders’ most productive line. This season alone, their 23.3 xGoals For are the best of any line across the entire league, according to MoneyPuck.com.
However, despite being one of the best lines in the NHL, Palmieri and his linemates rarely receive that recognition.
Perhaps that’s because the majority of their production has come from Nelson as the Islanders’ top goal scorer. But Nelson has admitted that he couldn’t do all he does without having Palmieri skating on his right wing.
“He helps us drive the play offensively,” Nelson said. “He creates turnovers and gets in there physically, maybe not explosively, but he goes to the dirty areas and competes hard. To have him is huge for our line.”
Playing the dogged style he does, Palmieri is often in a position on the ice where the risk for injury is higher than others. But even after all the time he’s spent on the shelf, he never hesitates to battle in front of the net or chase down a puck in the corners.
“You’re a pretty fortunate guy to play a long time in this league and stay healthy,” Palmieri said. “You really want to make sure you put yourself in the best positions and then hope for the best.”
That’s worked for Palmieri to this point. As long as it does, he’ll continue to play his game the same way he always has.
“He looks fresh and like he’s out there having fun,” Nelson said. “The game feels like it comes easier when you’re able to just play.”
