Josh Bailey’s return was the big plus for Thursday, but there were further good signs for some of the Islanders’ injured.
Johnny Boychuk and Andrew Ladd skated before the team’s morning skate, the second straight day on the ice for both. Boychuk (lower body) missed his 10th straight game and Ladd (upper) missed his fifth straight.
Casey Cizikas, who was injured against the Rangers and said by Doug Weight to be “out a while,” also was on the ice Thursday morning. His extended stay, long after any skaters in Thursday’s lineup had left the rink, indicated that Cizikas is working on conditioning and not really close to a return.