Bailey may miss only one game with injury
The Islanders' Josh Bailey controls the puck after being knocked down against the Montreal Canadiens at Nassau Coliseum. (Apr. 6, 2010) Credit: Getty Images
Josh Bailey isn't likely to play Thursday in Tampa, but his hip flexor strain may not keep him out beyond that.
For the Islanders, this constitutes very good news.
A team that's already been decimated by injuries to top players, the Islanders may only be without Bailey, who is tied for the team lead with six points, for tomorrow's game against the Lightning. Scott Gordon said Bailey would accompany the team on its two-game Florida swing, so Bailey could return to action Saturday in Sunrise against the Panthers.
"The doctor saw him this morning - there's no fracture or anything, he's just sore," Gordon said after an hourlong Islanders practice at Nassau Coliseum.
Neither Bailey nor Trent Hunter (foot), who was injured Saturday, skated Tuesday, and Gordon said they would be "close" to returning by Thursday, but not quite there. He planned on having Hunter also fly with the team to Florida, so he could be back Saturday.
With Mark Streit and Kyle Okposo still months away from returning - both men were at the Coliseum Tuesday, arms in slings as they recover from shoulder surgeries - and John Tavares just getting his legs under him after missing all but five minutes of the first four games with a concussion, the Islanders have juggled lineups and tried to find offense in all corners of the roster.
Bailey stepped to the fore with five strong games to open the season, filling the void left by Okposo's absence; Tavares had a solid game in his return Saturday, then broke out with a terrific assist and the inning goal in overtime Monday in Toronto.
"We've done a good job keeping our focus as a team and not worrying about who's in or who's out," Tavares said. "No one's using the missing guys as an excuse for not doing their jobs."
Without Hunter or Bailey - or Rob Schremp (back), who is still a week or two away from returning - the Islanders are down to 11 forwards. They could put Hunter on injured reserve and call up a winger, most likely Matt Martin, or go with 11 forwards and seven defensemen Thursday.
Radek Martinek (illness) also sat out practice, but he should be back on the ice Wednesday.
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