Kyle Palmieri returns and takes big hit but seems OK
Islanders center Kyle Palmieri is greeted by teammates after his goal against the New York Rangers in the first period of an NHL hockey game at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
TEMPE, Ariz. — As expected, right wings Kyle Palmieri and Anthony Beauvillier returned to the Islanders’ lineup for Friday night’s disappointing 5-4 loss to the Coyotes at Mullett Arena.
But the Islanders nearly lost Palmieri again. After being out for 10 games with an upper-body injury, he was pulled from the game at 10:59 of the third period for concussion spotting after a huge, high hit from Nick Ritchie. He was cleared and played the final 17 seconds.
“I finished the game, so there’s not much to say about that,” Palmieri said.
Matt Martin did voice an opinion. “From where we were on the bench, you couldn’t actually see the hit live,” Martin said. “You heard it. Then you see the replay of it. It’s a pretty dirty hit.
“They made Palms go off the ice for protocol but they didn’t want to take a look at the hit, either. So that’s an interesting one.”
Ritchie was penalized for interference.
The Islanders also lost Cal Clutterbuck, still wearing a full cage after a nose injury, at 13:54 of the third period. He did not return.
OK, then
The Islanders took the unusual step of traveling out west with the minimum six defensemen. Adam Pelech (suspected head injury) remains in New York and was placed on injured reserve on Thursday.
It might be a concern for Saturday night’s game in Vegas after Alexander Romanov left the ice at 14:49 of the third period after getting hit in the groin area with the puck.
“Well, you only use six in a game,” coach Lane Lambert said before Friday’s game. “So up until this point, we’re fine.”
Moving up
LW Josh Bailey, with an assist, broke a tie with Pat LaFontaine and moved into sole possession of seventh place on the Islanders’ career scoring list with 567 points.
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.
