Here's What Mayfield & Fasching Said Following Their Return to Islanders Lineup

The New York Islanders welcomed Scott Mayfield back from injury on Thursday night, while Hudson Fasching drew back into the lineup. Here's what they had to say following the 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals.

WASHINGTON, DC -- The New York Islanders welcomed Scott Mayfield back from injury on Thursday night, while Hudson Fasching drew back into the lineup. 

In the 3-0 victory over the Washington Capitals, Mayfield played 21:21 after missing the last seven games with an ankle injury following a blocked shot in the season-opener. 

The 31-year-old had three blocks and three shots in those minutes, which were heavily inflated due to Adam Pelech leaving in the first period with what seemed to be a hip injury. 

"I like his game. I thought he was very good," Islanders head coach Lane Lambert said on Mayfield's performance. "I thought he was solid defensively, big long stick turned pucks over (forced Capitals' turnover), and I thought he was great."

Mayfield was grinning as we approached him following the win. 

"It was good. I don't know if it was the ease into it -- going down to five defense -- that I kind of expected, but it feels good," Mayfield said postgame. 

Outside of likely being in obvious pain, we were unaware of any ligament/bone damage to Mayfield's ankle. 

THN asked Mayfield if his absence was more or less about pain management. 

"Yeah, I mean, there's a lot that goes into a rehab process," Mayfield said. "I think the trainers did a great job. I think everything's good, and I'm just happy back now."

As for how long it took him to feel comfortable: "It was a process, and I'm just happy to be back. Certain things happen and with NHL speed,  you can't predict what's going to happen every second. I was anxious to get the first one back."

Mayfield skated for the first time after the injury on Oct. 20 for an optional morning skate ahead of a battle with the New Jersey Devils.

It was clear that he was in a lot of pain and could barely do much on his skates. He tried to skate independently, ultimately rejoining the team earlier this week.

Despite being on the ice Monday through Wednesday, he wasn't passing the eye test regarding being back to 100 percent.

Mayfield was honest about returning to the lineup.

"I tried [to return] a bunch," Mayfield said. "For me, if I think I can help the team win, I'm going to tell coach I'm ready, and if I think I'm a liability (laughing), I'll tell him I'm not. 

"So it is what it is. The process was a little bit longer than I wanted, and it sucks sitting out. 

"I'm happy I'm in now."

For Fasching, he made the starting roster out of training camp, but after two lackluster showings, he found himself out of the lineup.

That spark we saw a season ago wasn't there, and Lambert knew there was more to his game.

Fasching had to wait five games before drawing back in, skating in Oliver Wahlstorm's place, and he showcased that spark. 

"I thought he was good as well, and I thought that line was excellent," Lambert said. "It was a great play he made to Holmstrom on his goal. I thought Hudson took pucks to the net.

"He played the way he needs to play."

Here was the Holmstrom goal:

Fasching told The Hockey News a few days ago that after rewatching his performances in the first two games before hitting the scratch house, he needed to be harder on the forecheck and not rush plays."

Yeah, I think I did," Fasching said about doing the things on his checklist. "I tried to forecheck hard and tried to disrupt some pucks, not give them a lot of time with the puck in the offensive zone.

"I was trying to get my feet moving there."

If Fasching is going to be playing like that yet again here in his second year on Long Island, he's going to force Lambert to keep him in the lineup.