New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk left game four against the Pittsburgh Penguins and didn’t return. On Friday, as the Islanders returned to the ice for practice, and we found out that Boychuk would be out for 3-4 weeks with a lower-body injury.
The 35-year-old blueliner, acquired via trade from the Boston Bruins on a wild day back in 2014, has been a mainstay for the Islanders defense. He’s a big physical presence that can clear the net of danger, protect the Islanders blue line, and has a wicked slap shot.
Not having him in the lineup is going to be a huge hole for the Islanders to try and fill.