Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Video: Nabokov hurt making save vs. Dallas, Poulin in for Isles (Updated)

New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Five

PITTSBURGH, PA - MAY 09: Evgeni Nabokov #20 of the New York Islanders reacts after giving up a second period goal to Sidney Crosby #87 of the Pittsburgh Penguins (not pictured) in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2013 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on May 9, 2013 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The Islanders’ nightmarish goaltending season continues.

Halfway through the opening period of Monday’s game against Dallas, Evgeni Nabokov was hurt making a save and left the contest, forcing backup Kevin Poulin into action -- and Poulin allowed a goal on his first shot faced, a snapper by Stars forward Erik Cole.

Dallas led 2-0 at the end of the first period.

Should Nabokov be lost for any length of time, it’ll be a major blow for the Isles. The veteran Russian netminder has struggled with health and consistency this season but was in the midst of his best stretch of the year -- over his last five starts, Nabokov had a 23-save shutout over Detroit, stopped 23 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Devils, made 35 saves in a 5-3 win over Boston, stopped 37 of 39 shots in a 3-2 OT win over Chicago, then stopped 27 of 30 in a 3-2 loss to the ‘Canes.

It’s unclear what Nabokov hurt against the Stars, though early speculation suggests it’s a groin injury. If so, it wouldn’t come as a major surprise -- Nabokov was placed on IR with a groin issue earlier this season, missing 11 games.

UPDATE: Here’s video of the incident...

UPDATE: According to NHL.com reporter Dan Rosen, Islanders head coach Jack Capuano wasn’t sure Nabokov would be traveling with the team to Toronto tonight.