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From the offices of Arthur Staple, Jaroslav Halak is slightly dinged up and did not make the trip to Chicago for the Islanders game against the Blackhawks. The fact that Halak didn't travel with the team wasn't known to fans when the news of Kevin Poulin's recall broke through the AHL's transaction page.
As the news started trending through Twitter and Facebook without any concrete evidence some wondered if it was a false report. The transaction and injury news were confirmed through a tweet from Arthur Staple.
#Isles have Kevin Poulin up from BPT. Jaroslav Halak did not make trip to Chi. Have not heard what injury is, not believed to be serious.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) March 17, 2015
With any luck this non-serious injury is just that and the team and their starting goalie will be decently rested for their playoff push. Halak has largely carried the load for the team due to the lack of confidence in Chad Johnson earlier in the season and was without the benefit of any additional rest at the all-star break. With his last game coming this past Friday and the next game not until this coming Saturday, this gives the workhorse netminder over a week's worth of rest.
As for tomorrow, it looks like Michal Neuvirth will pick up another game. Good thing the team made that trade for a backup.
UPDATE:
Halak is officially listed as day-to-day by the Islanders with a lower body injury.
#Isles Transaction: Kevin Poulin has been recalled from loan on emergency conditions. Jaroslav Halak is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 17, 2015
And now Lubomir Visnovsky will stay home as well, per Staple
Lubo Visnovsky also did not make trip to Chicago. Expecting Donovan and Strait to play tonight. #Isles
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) March 17, 2015