Matt Martin was back skating with his usual fourth-line mates when the New York Islanders practiced on Friday ahead of their Saturday matinee against the Washington Capitals.
Although Martin was not listed as a scratch in the 3-2 overtime win over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday, he was not in the lineup and had been skating with the extras at practice earlier in the week.
With the then-pending decision Friday morning by NHL Player Safety regarding Islanders Ross Johnston’s illegal check to the head on New Jersey’s A.J. Greer on Thursday, the 27-year old swapped places with Martin at practice.
Although not addressed, the Islanders seemed to gameplan for the likely scenario that Johnston would at least have to sit for a game.
NHL Player Safety announced on Friday evening that Johnston had received a three-game suspension.
Johnston will be eligible to return to the lineup when the Islanders host the Arizona Coyotes on Jan. 21.
On Thursday, Ross Johnston had four hits, four penalty minutes, and a giveaway in 9:20 TOI.
Johnston had played in the Islanders last four contests.
Matt Martin last played on Jan. 1 in a 3-2 shootout win against the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year old picked up two blocks, a hit, and one shot on goal in 16:17 TOI. He has played in 21 of the Islanders 29 games this season, with just one assist and 31 penalty minutes.
Kyle Palmieri (IR) skated with the extra forwards yet again on Friday. He did not play Thursday against the New Jersey Devils and has not played in the Islanders’ last four contests due to a lower-body injury.
Palmieri has been a full participant at practice since his return on Jan. 3, 11 days ago, and could be seen on the ice before and after practice doing extra drills.
Palmieri’s drills dealt with quick pivots at the end-walls, followed by curls along the near circle and capped off with a shot from the hash marks.
Tipping plays and rebound burial as well were a point of emphasis.
With the way 23-year old Kieffer Bellows has played in Palmier’s absence, along with the Islanders having collected points in five straight contests, Palmieri will have to wait his turn.
Palmieri has just one goal and six assists in 25 games this season.
Regarding the latest on the COVID-19 front, Islanders head coach Barry Trotz and Ryan Pulock are still away from the team after entering COVID-19 protocol on Tuesday, Jan. 11.
Ryan Pulock has not skated with the Islanders since he sustained a lower-body injury on Nov. 15 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
There is no timetable for Pulock’s return, but he has been skating and rehabbing independently. The original prognosis, a four to six-week recovery timetable, has now reached over seven weeks.
If asymptomatic throughout their protocol stay, the earliest Trotz and Pulock can return to the Islanders is Monday Jan. 17, the first of a back-to-back against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The expectation is that Pulock will not return to practice until an off day (Wed, Jan. 19.) if ready and would need to be a full participant at practice before being a game-option.
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