Islanders G Nabokov injures groin on 1st shot faced, resulting in Red Wings goal

UNIONDALE, N.Y. - New York Islanders Evgeni Nabokov has left the game against the Detroit Red Wings just 4:12 in after sustaining an injury on the first shot he faced.

The 38-year-old Nabokov was playing Saturday night for the first time in four games and the second in six. He fell forward right after Detroit's Darren Helm scored a breakaway goal to tie it 1-1 — nine seconds after New York took the lead.

Nabokov was assisted by a trainer in the crease before getting up on his skates and gingerly skating while hunched over to the tunnel leading to the dressing room.

Nabokov, who came into Saturday with a 5-5-3 record and 3.24 goals-against average, was replaced by Kevin Poulin. Poulin has received the bulk of playing time recently for the Islanders, and appears to be making a claim to be New York's No. 1 goalie.