Clutterbuck returned to the lineup on Tuesday, but is out once again with a lower-body injury. It’s unclear whether he re-aggravated the same injury or suffered a new injury, but he’ll be replaced by Stephen Gionta either way.
Cizikas suffered an upper-body injury in Detroit on Tuesday and is expected to miss one month. With him out for four weeks, Cizikas’ move to IR was simply a formality to open a roster spot.
Drouin has been battling the flu for a few weeks, but hasn’t missed any games. He was absent for Wednesday’s practice and is listed as a game-time decision for tonight’s game. It’s unclear whether it is the illness or something else that is bothering Drouin, but monitor his status during warmups at 7:00p.m. ET.
Pelech has not recorded a point in five games and has just six points (1G / 5A) in 26 games with the Islanders. Pelech will be replaced by Scott Mayfield tonight.
Mayfield has been a healthy scratch for the last seven games, but will replace Adam Pelech in the lineup tonight. Mayfield hasn’t played a lot this season, but has produced when he draws into the lineup. The 24-year-old has averaged 12:38 TOI in eight games this season and has one goal and three assists on nine shots.
Clutterbuck missed Tuesday’s game vs. the Capitals, but it looks like he’ll return to the lineup on Friday. The hard-hitting winger has three goals and 12 assists (15 points) in 43 games this season.
Clutterbuck was hurt during last Thursday’s game vs. the Canadiens and missed Monday’s practice. Clutterbuck is listed as day-to-day with a lower-body injury and will remain out of the lineup tonight vs. the Capitals.
Lee was held out of Tuesday’s game vs. Columbus, but will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Canadiens. Lee will take his spot next to John Tavares back and comes into play with 17 goals, which is second on the team behind only Tavares.
Varlamov has been battling a groin injury for a while now and the Avalanche deemed the best idea would be for him to undergo hip surgery to repair his injured groin. Fellow goalies Calvin Pickard and Spencer Martin will backstop the Avalanche moving forward and Varlamov might have played his final games in an Avalanche uniform.
Lee is battling an illness and will be a game-time decision tonight vs. the Blue Jackets. Lee has three goals and three assists, while averaging 4.2 shots per game in his last five contests.
Clutterbuck has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury and head coach Doug Weight said that there’s an 80 percent chance that he won’t play on Saturday. Consider Clutterbuck a game-time decision.
Mayfield replaced Johnny Boychuk in the lineup on Saturday and will do so again tonight. Mayfield hasn’t played much this season, but has been effective when he’s drawn into the lineup. Mayfield comes into play with one goal and three assists (four points) in just four games with the Isles.
Varlamov continues to battle a groin injury and will miss at least the next four games as he is shut down until after the break. With Varlamov out, Calvin Pickard will start on Thursday and Spencer Martin has been recalled to serve as their No.2.
Clutterbuck missed Monday’s game in Boston and is listed a day-to-day. His day-to-day tag suggests that he won’t play on Thursday, but monitor his status during the morning skate to be sure.
