Islanders coach Barry Trotz finally went from saying “day to day, but not today” to “tonight’s the night” for left wing Andrew Ladd and defenseman Thomas Hickey.
Ladd, out since Nov. 15 with a suspected ankle injury, and Hickey, out since Dec. 18 with a suspected head injury, were both activated off long-term injured reserve and in the lineup against the Flames on Tuesday night at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum.
It marked Ladd’s second return this season after he missed all of the preseason and the first three regular-season games with what was believed to be a back issue.