The Islanders M.A.S.H. unit grew by one yesterday as Casey Cizikas is out with an upper-body injury (likely broken finger).
The center suffered the injury in the second period of the Islanders 7-2 win against the Rangers at MSG. Head coach Doug Weight said following the game that the injury will keep Cizikas out for a significant amount of time. The same injury caused Cizikas to miss 23 games last season.
The team also announced that they have placed forward Andrew Ladd on injured reserve (retroactive to January 5) and Tanner Fritz has been emergency recalled from Bridgeport.
Ladd was injured in the team's loss against the Penguins on January 5. This is Fritz's second callup in 2018. He played three games during his first stint.
However, the amount of emergency recalls will likely decrease by one as Anthony Beauvillier has played his best hockey of the season lately. Beauvillier was first sent down on New Year's and played two games in Bridgeport. He understood why he needed to go down, took it in stride, and got his game back on track.
He was first emergency recalled for the game against the Devils, scored a goal and was returned to Bridgeport during the Islanders bye week. He played one game in Bridgeport last week, registering seven shots against Hartford and was flying all over the ice. With injuries to Ladd and Josh Bailey, Beauvillier returned to face the Rangers and had the best game of his career, scoring two goals, one assist and a +5 rating.
Beauvillier replaced Ladd on the second line and quite possibly found a new home. The line of Beauvillier, Mat Barzal, and Jordan Eberle might be once of the fastest in the league. Knowing the Islanders, we will probably see Beauvillier replace Cizikas on the fourth line.
Bailey skating prior to the team’s practice and he should be back sooner than later.