Liam Foudy was on the first line for a call-up from AHL Bridgeport after Julien Gauthier lasted just one game on the fourth line before the Islanders lost patience with him.
Foudy, a former Blue Jacket and Nashville Predator, joined Kyle MacLean and Oliver Wahlstrom as a hastily assembled fourth line in the wake of Anthony Duclair's injury in Tuesday's 1-0 loss to the Red Wings. He made his Islanders debut in the loss.
“I only had a few practices,” Foudy said after a short skate Tuesday morning. “I'm sure the chemistry will be there tonight. I'm looking forward to playing with them. Two good players. I'm excited to join that line.”
In this loss to the Red Wings, the fourth line and the rest of the new line followed a frustrating scenario, getting chances and playing good defense, but not scoring.
The second line of Kyle Palmieri, Brock Nelson and Max Tsyplakov is the only one intact, with Simon Holmstrom replacing Anthony Duclair on the top line and Casey Zikas replacing Holmstrom on the third line. Ta.
“I thought they played really well,” coach Patrick Roy said after the loss. “Maybe the next question is, have you thought about making some changes to the lines?” [during the game]?No, you're making changes when you're not playing a good game. …We dominated the game. ”
With Duclair no longer on the roster, the power play unit was rebuilt by splitting Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat.
Mike Riley was the first-unit quarterback, with Barzal and Simon Holmstrom in opposite circles, Brock Nelson in the bumper, and Anders Lee in net.
Noah Dobson was the other quarterback, with Horvat and Kyle Palmieri in either circle, Jean-Gabriel Pageau in the bumper and Max Tsyplakov in net.
In their first two chances, the Islanders moved the puck quickly with both units, constantly threatening, and saw Nelson hit the crossbar.
The third game ended late in the third period with the Islanders unable to put a shot on net and boos from the stands.
With Duclair not currently on long-term injured reserve, the Islanders cannot fit an additional $1.15 million on the cap, so Pierre Engvall is not an option for a call-up.
It's not yet clear if LTIR is inevitable for Duclair or if the Islanders will avoid it, but under the current constraints they can only bring in one healthy addition, and for now that's defenseman Dennis Cholowski.
With games in Columbus and Buffalo next week, it's an open question whether that structure can be maintained after the Islanders go on the road.
However, the Islanders can continue to gain cap space without Duclair on LTIR for the time being, as the draft roster is easily accessible from Bridgeport.
General manager Lou Lamoriello told MSG in a pregame interview that there would be further updates on Duclair “within the next 48 hours.”
