NEWARK – The Islanders learned prior to Sunday’s 3-2 four-round shootout win over the Devils at Prudential Center that invaluable center Jean-Gabriel Pageau was placed on the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list.
Then, Noah Dobson was a late scratch after taking pre-game warmups and the team announced during the game the defenseman had also been added to the league’s protocol list.
The Islanders actually started the game one player short on the bench as Sebastian Aho, who had also taken pre-game warmups, rushed to get ready for his first NHL game since March 18, 2018. The Islanders also nearly lost gritty fourth liner Cal Clutterbuck, who was helped to the team’s room at 11:16 of the second period after colliding with Miles Wood.