UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- New York Islanders right wing Kyle Okposo is not in the lineup Monday night against the Dallas Stars because his wife, Danielle, gave birth to the couple's first child earlier in the day.
Okposo announced the birth of his baby girl, Elliana Okposo, on his Twitter account while the Islanders were on the ice for warmups.
"Best day of my life. Elliana Okposo, welcome to the world. Mother and baby are happy and healthy. So blessed!" Okposo tweeted through his account (@bookerT2116).
Best day of my life. Elliana Okposo, welcome to the world. Mother and baby are happy and healthy. So blessed!
— Kyle Okposo (@bookerT2116) January 6, 2014
Brock Nelson started the game in Okposo's place on the top line with John Tavares and Thomas Vanek. Okposo is second on the Islanders with 16 goals and 42 points in 43 games this season. This is the first game he has missed.
Defensemen Trevor Daley and Sergei Gonchar returned to the Stars' lineup Monday. Daley missed 14 games with an ankle injury and Gonchar missed six with a concussion.
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