Tony DeAngelo Out 1-2 Weeks as Islanders Adjust Ahead of Crucial Stretch

In a significant blow to their playoff aspirations, the New York Islanders announced that defenseman Tony DeAngelo will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks due to a lower-body injury. The injury occurred during a defensive scramble against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, forcing DeAngelo to leave the game in the first period of what would end in a narrow 4-3 loss.

Fortunately for the Islanders, they received a boost on the blue line with the return of Ryan Pulock, who had missed the previous two games with his own lower-body issue. After a solid 2-1 victory against the Dallas Stars at UBS Arena, Pulock expressed optimism about his performance, stating, “Felt like yesterday I made some improvements and then this morning I felt good. Just as long as I can help this team, obviously I’m going.” His presence on the ice was certainly felt, as he logged over 20 minutes of ice time.

With DeAngelo out of the lineup, the Islanders shuffled their defensive pairings. Carson Soucy, a left-handed defenseman, stepped into DeAngelo’s right-side role alongside Adam Pelech, while Scott Mayfield shifted to the left side alongside Adam Boqvist. This adjustment highlights the ongoing challenges the Islanders face as they navigate injuries during a critical time in the season.

The Islanders may need to rely on George, who was called up as the seventh defenseman earlier this week, as DeAngelo’s absence might extend into mid-April. Boqvist, typically the seventh defenseman, could find himself back in the lineup depending on performance, having spent a significant portion of the season as a healthy scratch while the team sought coverage for the injured Alexander Romanov.

Adding to the narrative, Romanov participated in a full-team skate for the first time since undergoing surgery, wearing a non-contact jersey. His recovery was initially projected to keep him out for 5-6 months, but his presence at practice is a positive indication. While head coach Roy confirmed that Romanov is not expected to return during the regular season, there remains a glimmer of hope for his involvement should the Islanders reach the playoffs. “I’m sure he’s excited,” Roy said. “First, it’s fun to see him there, see how hard he had to work to get back where he is today. It’s fun for the guys as well, for him and for us, seeing him back.”

On the other side of the ice, the Stars were also missing a key player—Mikko Rantanen, who is still recovering from an injury sustained during the Olympics. Rantanen traveled with the team and is expected to return by the end of their current road trip, adding another layer of intrigue as both teams continue their playoff push.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.