Isles lose MacDonald to a broken hand
Islanders defenseman Andrew MacDonald hopes to continue his breakout season when he returns from a broken foot Tuesday against the Rangers. (Feb. 9, 2010) Credit: Christopher Pasatieri
SUNRISE, Fla. - Add Andrew MacDonald's name to the list of injuries to strike the Islanders this season.
MacDonald, 24, one of the team's top young defensemen, had surgery Friday to repair his broken right hand and is expected to miss four to six weeks. He was injured while killing a penalty during Thursday night's 3-2 overtime win over the Lightning in Tampa.
With the Islanders (4-1-2) down two men, MacDonald blocked a shot by Vinny Lecavalier with his right hand.
"[MacDonald] was playing really well for us, especially defensively," coach Scott Gordon said. "We're so fortunate we have the guys we have as far as being comfortable playing them against anyone. For a second-year player to be in there for us on the five-on-three [penalty kill] with no hesitation, that says a lot."
Jack Hillen, who was a healthy scratch for five of the first seven games, will replace MacDonald in the lineup Saturday night against Florida.
"We're very confident that Jack will step in and pick up the slack," Gordon said.
Gordon said he would like to see more of what he saw in the two games Hillen has played this season - against Washington and Pittsburgh last week while defenseman James Wisniewski was serving a two-game suspension.
"Just with some slight improvements in the transition game," Gordon said. "We want him getting up in the play and making good reads defensively."
Notes & quotes: Gordon has not decided whether forward Josh Bailey (hip pointer) will play Saturday.
"We're at the point where maybe he gets through the game fine and never looks back," Gordon said, "but if he takes a hit, that could set him back a week or two."
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