COLUMBUS, Ohio —Former Buckeye Tanner Fritz might never have gotten the chance to have a college homecoming as an Islander if it weren't for an injury to Valtteri Filppula.
But the third-line center, also one of the Islanders’ key penalty killers, is out for four weeks with an injured left shoulder. So, Fritz, 27, who played four seasons at Ohio State from 2011-15, will almost certainly be in the lineup again when the Islanders open a two-game road trip against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena.
“It’s a great opportunity for him,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said.