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Evgeni Nabokov Injury [Video/GIF]: New York Islanders goalie leaves game after first shot

Evgeni Nabokov injured his right groin early in the first period.

New York Islanders goalie Evgeni Nabokov was playing for the first time in four games. He only made it through 4:12 and one Detroit Red Wings shot.

That shot was a Darren Helm goal on a 2-on-0 that tied the game at 1-1 early in the first period. Nabokov appeared to hurt his lower body on the right side -- the Islanders later announced it as a groin injury-- as he went down for Helm's shot.

The 38-year-old goalie knew immediately that he was hurt, waving for a trainer and, ultimately, Islanders backup goalie Kevin Poulin. [Video embedded above, or viewable at nhl.com here.]

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Poulin had started three consecutive games before Nabokov's return to the net. Nabokov had last played one week ago in a 4-2 loss in Columbus. By the looks of it, he won't be playing again for a while.

The Islanders are thin at the goaltending position in terms of pro-ready goalies. Anders Nilsson is under contract, but he's not having a great season for AHL Bridgeport. Kenny Reiter -- also in Bridgeport -- and Parker Milner with ECHL Stockton, are on AHL/ECHL deals.

Of course, the Islanders arguably could use help at the position even without Nabokov's injury. Their .898 overall save percentage ranked 26th in the league entering Saturday's action.