{ "blocks": [ { "type": "video", "data": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/VtjB0hYG.mp4", "streached": true, "controls": true, "caption": "Islanders Morning Skate Updates", "image": { "url": "https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/video-migration/VtjB0hYG-poster.jpg" }, "cdn": { "service": "jwplayer", "playlistUrl": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/VtjB0hYG.m3u8", "sources": [ { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/VtjB0hYG.m3u8", "type": "application/vnd.apple.mpegurl" }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VtjB0hYG-KyKUfvSA.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 180, "width": 320, "label": "180p", "bitrate": 186044, "filesize": 4372036, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VtjB0hYG-rVxHCS6o.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 272, "width": 480, "label": "270p", "bitrate": 243754, "filesize": 5728231, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VtjB0hYG-Ok2KDRCK.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 724, "width": 1280, "label": "720p", "bitrate": 776606, "filesize": 18250242, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VtjB0hYG-XtftnkI5.m4a", "type": "audio/mp4", "label": "AAC Audio", "bitrate": 113775, "filesize": 2673728 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VtjB0hYG-8wczJJH0.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 362, "width": 640, "label": "360p", "bitrate": 292268, "filesize": 6868312, "framerate": 30 }, { "file": "https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/VtjB0hYG-bYs8wplI.mp4", "type": "video/mp4", "height": 542, "width": 960, "label": "540p", "bitrate": 479784, "filesize": 11274926, "framerate": 30 } ] } } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "EAST MEADOW, NY -- Making the playoffs in the National Hockey League is ultra tough. It's even harder when injuries ransack a lineup." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "That's what's happened to the New York Islanders this season, primarily to their backend. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Adam Pelech missed 24 games with multiple injuries. Ironically, his defense partner Ryan Pulock also missed 24 games due to a lower-body injury. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Scott Mayfield injured himself after blocking a shot in Game One of the regular season before missing more time with an upper-body injury for a total of 15 games." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Sebastian Aho missed eight games with an upper-body injury, while Robert Bortuzzo -- acquired after Pulock's injury -- will miss his 14th straight game tonight. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "On top of that, Matt Martin missed 22 games with an upper-body injury, while Casey Cizikas was the latest man on the shelf, missing the last 10 games due to a lower-body injury. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "We can't forget about goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who missed a game before retweaking whatever was ailing him, keeping him out of the lineup for an additional 10 games." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Slowly but surely, the Islanders have been able to get healthy. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Pulock and Pelech were ready to go after the 2024 NHL All-Star break, and with Cizikas being activated off long-term injured reserve Thursday afternoon, the Islanders are now as healthy as they've been all season ahead of their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Outside of Hudson Fasching, who is sidelined with a lower-body injury, all of the Islanders' \"starters\" are back in the lineup, and having the full group back together couldn't have come at a better time." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "With just 32 games left in the regular season, the Islanders are currently four points back of the second wild-card spot and third place in the Metropolitan Division. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It's all hands on deck for New York, which will be relying on a veteran group that finds itself in the exact same spot as it was in a year ago. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "It's even more important for the Islanders to be healthy because of Patrick Roy's arrival. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Not only is this group playing catchup, but they are also learning a brand new system on the fly. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Speaking with Pulock, it's hard to truly grasp the changes without being on the ice with the group. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Cizikas being back for a few practices and getting into a game under Roy is invaluable because the new bench boss's focus is for his players to all play as one unit, a five-man team." } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Well, if one player isn't grasping something or is struggling in a certain area, it will negatively impact not just his linemates but the game plan. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "The goal now is for the Islanders to continue progressing under Roy while staying healthy. It's always a next-man-up attitude, and the fill-ins did enough to keep the Islanders in the playoff conversation. " } }, { "type": "paragraph", "data": { "text": "Now, back healthy, it's up to the Islanders' regulars to ensure their hockey season extends after Apr. 17." } }, { "type": "header", "data": { "text": "TOP STORIES", "level": 2 } } ] }

Quietly, The Islanders Have Become Healthy For Playoff Push