Hurting Kyle Palmieri, Cal Clutterbuck out of Islanders' lineup for Vegas game
Islanders right wing Cal Clutterbuck skates wearing a retro fisherman's jersey in the second period of an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes at UBS Arena on Dec. 10. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
LAS VEGAS — Kyle Palmieri and Cal Clutterbuck are dealing with upper-body injuries.
Again.
The right wings were out of the lineup for the Islanders’ 5-2 win over Vegas on Saturday night at T-Mobile Arena after both exited in the third period of Friday night’s 5-4 loss in Arizona.
“We don’t know so much about the long-term thing,” coach Lane Lambert said. “They weren’t available tonight and we’ll see what happens in the next couple of days.”
Palmieri did return to play the final 17 seconds Friday after going through concussion protocol. He took a high hit along the wall from the Coyotes’ Nick Ritchie, who drew a two-minute minor for interference at 10:59.
Teammate Matt Martin called it a “dirty hit,” but the NHL did not issue any supplemental disciple on Saturday. “The league would have taken a look at it and they’ve come down with their decisions,” Lambert said. “We just move forward.”
Palmieri was playing in his first game since returning from a 10-game absence with an upper-body injury incurred in a collision with Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly, who also was hurt on the play.
Clutterbuck had played four games since returning from a three-game absence because of an upper-body injury. He was playing with a full cage after being head-butted by Devils defenseman Brendan Smith in his first game back.
Isles files
The Islanders entered the third period with a 3-1 lead but nearly had more of a cushion. Casey Cizikas beat goalie Logan Thompson from the right circle just as the buzzer sounded to end the second period, but after a quick review, it was determined that time already had expired.
Brock Nelson’s assist on Zach Parise’s empty-net goal was his 200th career point.
Ross Johnston remained a healthy scratch.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
