On Nov. 5, Isles d-man Travis Hamonic suffered a hand injury that was supposed to sideline him for a month, maybe a month-and-a-half.
Turns out the timetable was a lot smaller than that.
Tonight, Hamonic will suit up to face the Lightning, after missing just three games with a suspected broken right thumb (per Newsday).
The news comes with the Isles still struggling to find their way this season -- they’re 5-7-3 heading into Monday’s game, just one point ahead of last-place Carolina in the Metropolitan Division.
They’re also the only team in the NHL not to win a road game (0-4-1) thus far.
Hamonic’s return will undoubtedly help. A quality defensive defenseman, he formed a good pairing with Nick Leddy prior to getting hurt and was used by head coach Jack Capuano in all situations.
“Travis was playing power play, first-unit penalty kill, 21-plus minutes a night, alternate captain,” Capuano said, per Newsday. “It’s the same as always when we lose someone. It’s an opportunity for other guys to step up.”
In other Isles news, veteran Dennis Seidenberg was placed on IR on Monday -- he suffered a suspected broken jaw on Saturday, further depleting New York’s d-man core.
That injury could’ve played a role in Hamonic returning from injury as early as he has.