It took Patrick Roy the better part of 10 weeks to find a forward configuration that produced sustained success for the Islanders.
So if Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s injury, apparently sustained on a hit around the crease by Reilly Smith with 9:18 to go in the first period in Wednesday’s win over Pittsburgh, ends up keeping the center out for Game 1 against Carolina on Saturday, it would have implications beyond merely losing the player.
The Islanders would have to at least start the series with newly modified forward lines.
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