Illness keeps Jaroslav Halak, Ryan Strome out of Islanders' lineup
Jaroslav Halak #41 of the New York Islanders makes a third period save against the Calgary Flames at Barclays Center on Monday, Oct. 26, 2015, in Brooklyn. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Ryan Strome and Jaroslav Halak missed Thursday night's game because of illness.
The fact that Halak was under the weather was known and addressed much earlier in the day. Jack Capuano had announced in the morning that Thomas Greiss would be the starter in goal and J-F Berube would be the backup. Halak was at Barclays Center working out off the ice, so his illness wasn't so serious.
Strome also was at the rink for the morning skate, though he opted not to take a spin. He was scheduled to play right up until warmups, when the Isles announced he'd be out and Steve Bernier would go in.
Strome was a healthy scratch on Saturday in St. Louis after starting the season with five points in the first seven games.
No call-up yet
With six healthy defensemen and Bridgeport playing a game on Friday night, the Islanders chose not to recall a defenseman. "We haven't traveled much yet, so we can get someone here if we need to," Capuano said.
The Isles play in Newark on Saturday and at Barclays Center on Sunday against the Sabres, so between that and a possible illness going around the dressing room, a call-up may be in the offing before the 1 p.m. start against the Devils.
Berube wants to be here
Berube played in Chicago on Oct. 10 and has practiced and dressed as a backup for Halak or Greiss only four times since. The Isles are trying to hang on to the young goaltender, who would need waivers to be sent down. "Everyone wants to be up here, so I know the situation," he said. "I like this team, I like the guys and I feel like I'm learning being around Jaro and Greisser every day."
