Morning Skate Updates: Islanders at Penguins

The New York Islanders take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night at PPG Paints Arena (7 p.m., MSG+, AM970 - The Answer, 88.7FM - WRHU, 103.9FM - LI News). Click here for the Game Preview. Click here for Game Notes.

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Strome Out For 3-6 Weeks:

Interim Coach Doug Weight estimates Ryan Strome will be out about three-to-six weeks after suffering an upper-body injury on Wednesday night against the Rangers. Weight said the injury won't require surgery.
It's a little better than it looked at first, but it'll be an extended time, whether that's 3 weeks or 6 weeks, we'll have to wait and see," Weight said. "It looks as though he'll avoid surgery which is nice, so just hit the wrong way and it's a tough time."
That timeline means Strome will likely miss the rest of the regular season and potentially into the second round of the playoffs.
"Upper is a little better than lower because he can get his wheels going and work the legs and keep himself ready, so when he does get back he'll have some jump," Weight said.
Strome had 30 points (13G, 17A) in 69 games this season.

Halak Starts:

Jaroslav Halak is jumping right back into the action, starting in Pittsburgh one day after being recalled from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Halak went 17-7-3 with the Sound Tigers, posting a 2.15 GAA and a .925 SV% after a 6-8-5 start with the Islanders with a 3.23 GAA and .904 SV%.
"He went down and found his game," Weight said on Thursday. "Every report I got was about how great his attitude was and how great he's playing and how great the team is playing in front of him. He's been a pro… He's gone down and did what he had to do and found his game and we're excited to have him back."
Halak has good career numbers against the Penguins. The Islanders goalie is 7-5-1 with a 2.24 GAA, .926 SV% and a shutout in his career vs Pittsburgh.

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*Lines heading into Penguins-Senators on Thursday night

Bonino Heating Up:

Nick Bonino has goals in two straight games and has seven goals in his last nine games. The Penguins forward has 16 goals and 16 assists this season and is set to play his 400th NHL game on Friday.