New York Islanders Practice: Chara Returns, Nelson Exits, New Line Combos

EAST MEADOW, NY– Following the 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, the New York Islanders were back on the practice ice at Northwell Health Arena.

The Islanders worked hard Tuesday morning, but it was not a usual Barry Trotz practice.

“It was a little bit of a different practice because I know part of that is, you know, let’s forget about last night. Let’s get some work done today,” Trotz said. “There wasn’t a lot of teaching. It was just, this is some exercise for that and a little bit of competition to sort of whitewash a little bit of our game yesterday.”

“We’ll get back at it against Columbus and Winnipeg.”

Head coach Barry Trotz was still without star forward Mathew Barzal (day to day) as he missed his fifth straight contest on Monday with no timetable for his return. He suffered a lower-body injury in the second period against the Los Angeles Kings on Feb. 26 and has yet to skate with the team.

“He did skate. Not with the group obviously,” Trotz said. “He started that process so we’ll see where he is. ”

Defenseman Zdeno Chara, who suffered an upper-body injury against the Los Angeles Kings as well, skated with his teammates for the first time since leaving during the second period of the New York Islanders 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings back on Feb. 26. He is currently on IR and did not seem 100-percent during his first skate back with the team.

“I think he’s pretty close,” Trotz said. “I think he might be a go for Thursday. I’ll answer that Thursday.

During some three-on-three work, Cal Clutterbuck and Brock Nelson collided, as both took a few seconds to get up. Nelson left the practice holding his face, while Clutterbuck remained on the ice.

Trotz gave an update following practice on Nelson’s status:

“He’s fine. They just butted heads. They ran into each other obviously looking at the same puck coming across and him and Clutter ran into each other. Nothing serious. I talked to him. He’s got a little scrape on the bridge of his nose and I don’t think there’s anything broken or anything.”

Trotz tried out some new line combinations Tuesday:

FORWARDS

Lee-Nelson-Beauvillier

Palmieri-Pageau-Bailey

Bellows/Koivula-Parise-Wahlstrom

Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

DEFENSE

Pelech-Pulock

Dobson-Greene/Chara

Aho-Mayfield

The New York Islanders will have an off day on Wednesday as they prepare for a back-to-back meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Winnipeg Jets this Thursday and Friday.