The Islanders’ 7-0 loss to Philadelphia on Monday was made even worse with the announcement that defenseman Brian Strait suffered a broken ankle.
Strait, 25, has been put on injured reserve and replaced by fellow defenseman Radek Martinek, who was activated to New York’s official roster.
The former Penguins rearguard caught a rut in the second period of the Flyers game and crashed feet-first into the boards, breaking his ankle in the process. Newsday reports the recovery time is 6-8 weeks, and that Strait’s season might be finished.
It’s a tough blow for a guy that only just got his NHL career on track.
Strait was plucked off waivers from Pittsburgh the day prior to New York’s season-opening loss to New Jersey and has since gone on to appear in 15 games, registering four assists with a plus-3 rating while averaging 17:54 in ice time.
On Jan. 31, the Islanders signed Strait to a three-year, $2.3 million extension.