Rookie forward Oliver Wahlstrom skated with the Islanders at practice Saturday and is "getting very close to be available,’’ according to Islanders coach Barry Trotz, but he added that Wahlstrom may not step right back into the lineup as soon as he is ready.
Travis Zajac, the veteran former New Jersey Devil who took Wahlstrom’s place after Wahlstrom was injured in Game 5 of the Isles’ first round series against Pittsburgh, has played well. Zajac takes some faceoffs, and scored the game’s first goal in the Islanders’ second-round series-clinching, 6-2 win over Boston in Game 6 Wednesday.
"Right now, if Wally were healthy, there's no guarantee he gets back in the lineup right away,’’ Trotz said.