Isles Day to Day: Filppula Out Four Weeks

Valtteri Filppula will miss four weeks with an upper-body injury, the Islanders announced on Wednesday morning.
Filppula suffered the injury after taking a high hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Connor Clifton on Tuesday night, leaving the game in the first period. The Islanders lamented the loss of the veteran and versatile center and wished him a speedy recovery during the team's playoff push. Filppula's projected recovery would have him return in the first round of the playoffs.

"Fil's been instrumental in our success this year," captain Anders Lee said. "He's got such a veteran presence and is so smart down the middle. He plays the right way and is always in the right spots. We have some big shoes to fill now with Fil out. Until he can come back, we have a bit of a hole to fill."
Barry Trotz said the Islanders will rely on a committee-type approach to fill the holes left by Filppula, who's been entrenched as the team's third line center and a regular penalty killer this season. Filppula has 15 goals in his first season with the Isles, the most he's scored since 2013-14, and averaged 1:51 SH/TOI per game, second among Islanders forwards. Filppula also centered the Islanders second power play unit.

"We have a little bit of a plan going forward here, but it may be by committee here a little," Trotz said. "Leo has played a little bit in the middle. We're still in the process of seeing who is available."
Komarov, Anthony Beauvillier and Tom Kuhnhackl were all floated as options by the coach to play spot-duty down the middle. Komarov most recently played center in Casey Cizikas' absence in the Islanders two games in Detroit and Minnesota over the weekend, while Beauvillier played center for much of his junior career. Trotz also said the Islanders would consider a callup from Bridgeport, but said on Tuesday that will be an organizational decision.
UPDATE: Tanner Fritz was recalled from Bridgeport on Wednesday afternoon.

EBERLE DAY-TO-DAY:

Jordan Eberle was also absent at Wednesday's practice, as the forward is day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Trotz said Eberle will travel with the team on their upcoming two-game road trip to Montreal and Philadelphia, but the winger is questionable for Thursday's tilt with the Canadiens.
In Eberle's absence, Andrew Ladd skated with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee on the top line, while Michael Dal Colle skated with Brock Nelson and Anthony Beauvillier.

CLUTTERBUCK PRACTICES:

After leaving Tuesday's game in the second period with an upper-body injury, Cal Clutterbuck practiced with the Islanders on Wednesday.