There's no ideal time for an outbreak of injuries to occur, but in some cases, the lack of available bandwidth serves as a character test. While the 82-game season is still very much in its infancy, a test at this stage of the season can provide value for the collective group down the stretch. 

The absences of Casey Cizikas, who was placed on IR on Oct. 8, and Jordan Eberle, who was placed on IR on Oct. 12, have issued the Islanders such a challenge. Amidst the onset of that adversity, the Islanders have managed to scrap together 10 points and a 5-3-0 record, highlighted by their current four-game winning streak. 

Bryan Trottier was the first one to point it out, but the date of the New York Islanders groundbreaking at Belmont Park was a good omen - at least in alumni eyes. 

The date - 9/23/19 - contained auspicious numbers for the Islanders, as most - fans will recognize - they represent the retired numbers of Clark Gillies (9), Bobby Nystrom (23) and Trottier (19). Hockey players are a notoriously superstitious bunch, but the good vibes the alumni shared as they toured the site of the new arena during alumni weekend came from much more than the coincidence. 

Casey Cizikas returned to practice on Tuesday afternoon, his first skate with the team since Oct. 8. 

Cizikas aggravated a lower-body injury on Oct. 8, took a maintenance day on Oct. 10 and was retroactively placed on IR ahead of the Isles' Oct. 14 win over the St. Louis Blues. The Isles center is still on IR and Head Coach Barry Trotz did not have a timetable set for his return.

"He skated pretty well," Trotz said. "I don't have any timeframe for him right now, but we'll see how he is tomorrow. That was a big load for him to handle. He's been doing some skating, but that was a big load and we'll see how he feels tomorrow."

Bridgeport Sound Tigers play-by-play voice Alan Fuehring offers his weekly updates on the Isles AHL Affiliate. Read about the Isles junior, collegiate and European prospects here. Visit our In The System page for more prospect content.

The Bridgeport Sound Tigers (1-2-1-1), American Hockey League affiliate of the New York Islanders, collected one point last weekend in a relatively quiet stint that featured just a single game during a seven-day stretch. The Sound Tigers faced the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (3-2-1-0) in their home opener on Saturday, dropping a 3-2 shootout decision at Webster Bank Arena.

Bridgeport got on the board early with a power-play tally from Ryan Bourque, his second goal in the last four games, while Mason Jobst earned an assist for his first professional point. However, the Penguins bounced back with two goals in the span of just 57 seconds.

Welcome to the Islanders Prospect Report, a weekly roundup of the Islanders junior, collegiate and European prospects. Read Alan Fuehring's Bridgeport Report. Visit our In The System page for even more prospect content.

BOLDUC TO PLAY FOR QMJHL IN CANADA-RUSSIA SERIES:

Isles' 2019 second-round pick Samuel Bolduc was named to Team QMJHL in the upcoming 2019 CIBC Canada-Russia series. Bolduc was one of nine defensemen named to the international exhibition, as a team of Russian prospects will play six games against select teams from the QMJHL, OHL and WHL. 

Bolduc and Team QMJHL will take on the Russians on Nov. 4 and 5. See the full roster here.

The Islanders returned to New York for a quick practice on Sunday morning after they were tested through their first multi-game road trip of the season. The Isles trip began with a 3-1 win over Winnipeg and ended with a 3-2 OT win at Columbus to also extend their winning streak to four games. Through their first eight games of the season, the Isles picked up 10 points and a 5-3-0 record. 

Game 8
Isles 3, Columbus 2 (OT)

Brock Nelson scored his fourth career overtime goal and Thomas Greiss made 34 saves as the Isles extended their winning streak to four straight games with a 4-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets before a crowd of 15,276 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus.

Mathew Barzal extended his goal scoring streak to three games (four goals) as the Isles improved to 5-3-0. It's the first time in four seasons that the Isles (5-3-0) have earned at least ten points in the first eight games.

The New York Islanders won their fourth-straight game as they topped the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2 in overtime at Nationwide Arena on Oct. 19. Brock Nelson scored the game-winner 33 seconds into OT. 

Mathew Barzal and Michael Dal Colle scored in regulation for the Islanders, while Thomas Greiss made 34 saves in the win. Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier had a team-high two points (1G, 1A) each. 

On Saturday morning, Cole Bardreau was taking morning skate with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers at Webster Bank Arena. By Saturday night, he was making his NHL debut for the New York Islanders in Columbus,  filling in for a sick Leo Komarov. 

Life comes at you fast. 

It was a whirlwind day for the 26-year-old rookie, who didn't even have time to pack and had to borrow a blazer from a Bridgeport trainer, but it was a memorable one. If you don't know much about Bardreau, we've got you covered in this edition of 7 Facts. 

The New York Islanders announced today that forward Cole Bardreau has been recalled from the club's American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Bardreau, 26, has played in all four games for the Sounds Tigers this season. He has 98 points (41 goals, 57 assists) in 230 career AHL games through six seasons with the Sounds Tigers and Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Bardreau has not yet made his NHL debut.