The streaking New York Islanders will get a key piece back on Tuesday, as Andrew Ladd returns from a four-game absence to face the visiting Blue Jackets.
Ladd has been out of the lineup since Jan. 16 with an upper-body injury.
“I just wanted to be a part of the way we’ve been playing the last little bit, last five games and have put ourselves back in the position where we can get into the playoff race,” Ladd said, per the Isles’ website. “You try to inject some energy, some emotion into getting back in the lineup and just want to be a part of winning some hockey games. I’m excited to get back in there.”
As mentioned, the Isles are on a bit of a roll. They’re 4-1-1 in their last six and have points in four straight games, all of which came under interim bench boss Doug Weight. Weight, of course, took over from Jack Capuano after the longtime head coach was fired from his post last week.
Ladd’s largely been a disappointment this season after signing a monster seven-year, $38.5 million deal in free agency. He has just eight goals and 12 points through 41 games, but did have a decent stretch of production prior to getting hurt.
The biggest reason for New York’s improved play lately has been Thomas Greiss. Now firmly locked into the starting gig -- after Jaroslav Halak cleared waivers and sent to the minors -- Greiss has gone 2-0-1 in his last three starts with a 0.98 GAA, and .971 save percentage.
Unsurprisingly, Greiss will get the nod against Columbus this evening.
If the Isles can get another result tonight, they could draw closer to the idle Flyers in the wild card chase. New York currently sits just five back of Philly for the final spot, but needs to leapfrog five teams -- Boston, Florida, Carolina, New Jersey and Detroit -- to get there.