Quick Fix: Playing Shorthanded

It's a Quick Fix featuring Joe Buono (@IslesFix) and former VP of Communications for the Islanders, Chris Botta (@ChrisBottaNHL). The worst was confirmed on Saturday as the New York Islanders placed All-Star forward Mathew Barzal on long-term injured Reserve (LTIR) and defenseman Adam Pelech on Injured Reserve (IR).

The Islanders will have to tread water without key pieces for the next 1-2 months. The Eastern Conference is forgiving, but an already slow start had them in a disappointing position after emphasizing a fast start throughout camp. They'll have to rely on their goaltending even more and have the healthy part of their veteran core step up in Barzal's absence.

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🔗 Islanders suffer devastating injury blows with brutal Mat Barzal, Adam Pelech updates by Ethan Sears, New York Post “The Islanders sorted through the injury wreckage and won’t like what they found. The laundry list of injuries for the team, which comes into Sunday’s clash with the Rangers at Madison Square Garden at 4-5-2, looks all the worse after getting some clarity on the timeline for the players hurt on their trip to Columbus and Buffalo.”

🔗 Islanders lose Mathew Barzal, Adam Pelech for four-to-six weeks by Andrew Gross, Newsday “The Islanders’ lineup will be missing Mathew Barzal and defenseman Adam Pelech, two of its top players, for the next four to six weeks, president/general manager Lou Lamoriello announced on Saturday before the team practiced at Madison Square Garden.”

And we leave you with this ….Bryan Trottier on the cover of Goal Magazine (h/t RealIsles Pride)

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