Nielsen misses third straight game
Frans Nielsen of the Islanders skates against the Columbus Blue Jackets. (Nov. 24, 2010) Credit: Jim McIsaac
CHICAGO - The Islanders again were without one of their most valuable players Sunday night as Frans Nielsen missed his third straight game with a groin strain suffered in their 5-2 win over Calgary last Monday.
Although not the flashiest player, Nielsen perhaps has been the Islanders' most consistent player in a turbulent season. The 26-year-old Danish center, who has four goals in 37 games, leads the team in shorthanded goals (three) and is second with 14 assists.
He not only is the team's best defensive forward but is a crucial cog in the Islanders' power-play and penalty-killing units. Although their special teams have fared well recently, Nielsen's absence is another blow for a team with a ton of injuries.
"It's a huge loss," coach Jack Capuano said. "Frans is a guy that plays in all situations. He's really a guy that goes unnoticed, but for people that really understand the game, he's an integral part of this team."
Capuano said Nielsen was held out Sunday night as a precautionary measure and likely will return this week.
"We have one more game on this road trip, so we can get back and he can go to the doctors. But he looked good in practice and has been skating," Capuano said. "If he hadn't been skating, I'd be worried, but right now, he's just day-to-day."
Colliton produces
Jeremy Colliton, who scored twice in Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over Colorado, filled in for Nielsen again Sunday night. Said Capuano, "He's been around a while, he's a bit of an older guy, and I knew he'd do the job."
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