The Islanders begin their life — well, technically it began late in the first period in Toronto Saturday — with two more regulars out as they host the Ducks and Tough Negotiator Pat Verbeek on Long Island Tuesday.
The prognosis for the two newest injuries is not as bad as it could’ve been, but opposite what I at least expected. Center Cal Ritchie, who skated off on his own power, is expected to miss four to six weeks, while winger Matias Maccelli, who needed help off the ice and down the hall, is listed as two to four weeks.
Of course, with Mat Barzal still out despite “maybe being ready by opening weekend,” we’ll view all prognoses with even more suspicion than usual.
Regardless, Mitchell Chaffee gets the emergency recall and Kyle MacLean gets a turn in the lineup.
Oh, but speaking of the Barzal situation, which gets more concerning by the week: