Islanders Get Palmieri and Beauvillier Back, but No 7th Defenseman?

TEMPE, AZ–The New York Islanders face off against the Arizona Coyotes at Mullet Arean Friday night, with puck drop at 7:30 MST.

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New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert addressed the media before the game and offered positive team news.

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This morning, the Islanders activated forward Kyle Palmieri out of Injured Reserve after a 10-game absence, and Lambert confirmed he would be back in the lineup.

The 31-year-old forward took line rushes with Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Zach Parise at Thursday’s practice and is likely to slot in on that line for the game.

Forward Anthony Beauvillier, who had missed the last two games with an undisclosed injury, will also return to the lineup. He took line rushes with Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey at Thursday’s practice.

There was no update on the status of defenseman Adam Pelech (upper-body), who was placed on IR (retroactive Dec. 6).

Islanders Do Not Recall a 7th Defenseman

Usually, when teams travel out west or go on long road trips, they typically make sure they have seven defensemen. That way, if someone on the back end gets injured, the team is covered.

However, the New York Islanders did not go that route as they traveled out west with just six, and it doesn’t sound like one will be meeting them in Vegas on Saturday unless need be.

“Well, you only use six in a game. So up until this point, we’re fine,” Lambert said.

The Islanders play the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday night at 10 PM ET, so they could get someone to Vegas in the morning, but you never know with travel or weather what can happen.

Clearly, there is no worry at all.

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