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Strome returns to Isles lineup, says team needs ‘wake-up call’

Arizona Coyotes v New York Islanders

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 21: Jakob Chychrun #6 of the Arizona Coyotes defends against Ryan Strome #18 of the New York Islanders during the first period at the Barclays Center on October 21, 2016 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Ryan Strome will be back in the Islanders’ tonight against Pittsburgh.

The 23-year-old forward wasn’t very happy about being a healthy scratch the past two games, and it sounds like his frustrations have been heard by head coach Jack Capuano.

“We’ve had some good talks over the last few days,” Capuano said, per the New York Post. “He’s been real good. He knows where his game needs to be. He’s one of those guys, for me, he cares so much. He wants to play better. He knows that he can. Just want to continue to have communication with him. What can we do better to continue to try to help him?”

Strome is a key player for the Isles. He has the talent to contribute on offense, and his 50-point season in 2014-15 proved he can do it at the NHL level. But with just two goals and four assists in 19 games this season, he knows he need to kick it up a notch.

In fact, per the Post, Strome believes the “whole team needs a wake-up call.”

He’s not wrong.

The Isles (7-10-4) enter tonight’s action seven points back of a wild-card spot, and that’s a huge hole at this point in the schedule. If they don’t start making up some ground, their playoff hopes could be all but over come Christmas time.

These next two weeks could be tough, however...

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Yikes.