Johnny Boychuk is back on the Islanders blue line after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury and will be paired with Nick Leddy. With Boychuk back in the lineup, the Islanders regain a big shot from the blue line, as the 33-year-old has the hardest shot on the team. Boychuk has 21 points (6G, 15A) in 59 games this season.
"It was a lot longer than we thought it ws going to be but I'm ready now," Boychuk said. "You can't worry about it. You have to play the way you know how to and do anything you can to help the team win."
Weight said he'll play Boychuk as he normally would and is looking forward to his return to the lineup.
"He's a big piece of the team on and off the ice he's a presence," Weight said." He does a great job at a lot of things. He gets pucks to the net, he has an uncanny ability to get pucks through. He plays a hard game and makes strong decisions with the puck."
"He brings that simplicity back, that hard-nosed simplicity," Weight added.
