Romanov Rejoins Islanders At Morning Skate Ahead of Game 3

After missing the last seven games, skating on his own, Alexander Romanov rejoined the New York Islanders at Friday's morning skate.

EAST MEADOW, NY -- The New York Islanders were without defenseman Alexander Romanov for the final five games of the regular season. 

When the playoffs began, Romanov was skating on his own and did travel to Carolina.

However, he did not play in Game 1 or Game 2 as Lambert struggled to get enough out of rookie Samuel Bolduc, who was playing in his place.

READ MORE: Lambert's Options Slim to Shore-Up Backend With Romanov Still Shelved

Lambert's words on Romanov's injury didn't provide any information about when we could expect him back. 

The question was could Romanov, who suffered an upper-body injury on Apr. 1, handle the physical workload that comes with playoff hockey?

"Well, this is what's being determined and evaluated, and this is what he's working on on a daily basis," Lambert said Thursday afternoon.

When Friday's morning skate commenced, Romanov was back on the ice with his teammates for the first time since the injury.

Romanov did rotate in, heavily, during line rushes and took part on the penalty kill.

"I feel ready to go, but I still don't know if I will play or not, or Wotherspoon," Romanov said following the skate. 

Romanov shared that he feels strong enough but that the decision is up to the coaching staff.

"He skated this morning here, so we'll see how he's feeling, and then we'll make a decision from that," Lambert said. "He's been skating on his own, and he's been in situations where, where he's been able to do that, so we'll see what happens with him.

The first-year head coach did share that if it wasn't Romanov, Parker Wotherspoon will slot in. 

Wotherspoon has not played since Jan. 21. 

"I think it's big, obviously. He has been working to get back, and I think it's great to see him out there today," Ryan Pulock said.

"Hopefully we get him in tonight," Mathew Barzal said. "I'm not sure what the status is, but anytime you get a player back it's a boost. 

"If he's in, I know he's going to be doing his thing."