Islanders’ Kyle Okposo out again, prognosis uncertain
New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo skates with the puck against the New Jersey Devils in the first period of a game at Barclays Center on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Kyle Okposo missed his second game Monday night with a lower-body injury, and Jack Capuano didn’t sound sure that he will be in full health by the time the Islanders reassemble Saturday after their four-day holiday break.
Could Okposo’s injury be long-term or require surgery? “I don’t think so, but I don’t know for sure,” Capuano said. “The injury that he has needs a little bit of rest. We’ll see where it takes him after these seven to eight days off. It’s been lingering on for quite some time, a couple, three weeks, maybe even longer. He’ll see doctors after the break. I’m hoping that this rest will give him some time to get ready to play when he gets back, but there’s no guarantee of that, either.”
Okposo was ruled out Friday as his teammates practiced in Arizona before their loss on Saturday night. He leads the Islanders with 18 assists and 26 points, one more point than John Tavares’ total.
Steve Bernier took Okposo’s spot in the lineup.
Petrov departs
Kirill Petrov left for Russia on Monday after being loaned to Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL, the team for which Petrov played for the past eight seasons. The 2008 third-round pick nearly made the Islanders with a strong training camp but had only a goal and four assists in 13 games with Bridgeport.
The Islanders could bring Petrov back from Russia when the KHL season ends in March.
Two make Canada cut
Forwards Mathew Barzal and Anthony Beauvillier, the Isles’ 2015 first-round selections, made the final cut for Team Canada in the upcoming World Junior tournament in Helsinki.
Barzal has nine goals and 34 assists in 25 games for Seattle of the Western League. Beauvillier has 17 goals and 24 assists in 21 games for Shawinigan of the Quebec League.
