Game Preview: Islanders vs. Wild

New York Islanders vs. Minnesota Wild

Pulock Out 4-6 Weeks:

Ryan Pulock will miss the next four-to-six weeks with a lower-body injury suffered during the first period of the Islanders 3-2 win over the Arizona Coyotes on Friday.

Nick Leddy Returns To Practice:

After missing Friday's game with an upper-body injury, Nick Leddy returned to practice on Saturday. Leddy leads the Islanders in time on ice per game, plays on the top pairing and on the top power-play unit and his return would bolster the Islanders' blue line - if he's ready to go.

Brock Nelson Streaking:

Brock Nelson is riding a five-game point streak (2G, 3A), notching a point in all five Islanders games this season - also making him the leading scorer on the team. Fast starts are becoming common for Nelson, as the Islanders forward had five points (2G, 3A) in his first six games last season and eight points (4G, 4A) in the Islanders first five games in 2014-15. Nelson had the primary assist on Johnny Boychuk's game-winning goal on Friday night.

Darcy Kuemper Likely To Start:

With Devan Dubnyk starting for the Wild on Saturday night, backup goalie Darcy Kuemper is likely to start against the Islanders according to Michael Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Kuemper is 1-0 to start the season, making 27 saves in a 6-3 win over the LA Kings on Oct. 18. Last season Kuemper had a 6-7-5 record with a 2.43 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.

Eric Staal Starting Well In Minnesota:

Eric Staal has gotten off to a good start in his Wild career, scoring three goals in his first five games. Staal is looking to bounce back after a 39-point season last year split between the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Rangers, his lowest output since his rookie season in 2003-04. Staal is getting a good opportunity in Minnesota, centering the top line with Zach Parise and Charlie Coyle.