The Islanders were 38.4 seconds away from a win until Nikita Kucherov tied the game to send it to overtime. Hickey, who has been one of the Islanders' more reliable defensemen in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, said he went through concussion protocol and deemed himself ready for Friday.
"It certainly didn't feel good," said Hickey, who has a goal and four assists in nine games this postseason. "I think losing the game is the thing that really stings. I certainly wanted to make sure I was OK, but I feel good today."
Islanders coach Jack Capuano was fuming after the loss, believing Boyle targeted Hickey's head and a penalty should have been called. But play continued with Hickey lying on the ice, and Boyle won it when the puck caromed off the boards behind the net to his stick, and he quickly roofed it over goalie Thomas Greiss. The NHL Department of Player Safety did not review the hit for possible discipline.
Hickey didn't want to elaborate Capuano's thoughts Thursday.
"I think as a group, we're focusing on moving on," Hickey said. "I'll let him speak for I guess the team. It's a long series, and there's plays that you agree with and you don't. We're on both sides of those. That's part of the game, we'll move on, but I think the statement he made, we'll just go with that. I don't need to say much."