Ryan Pulock out for the remainder of the first round

Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock did not travel with the team to Florida and according to a tweet from Arthur Staple he will miss the remainder of the first round.  He was knocked out during the Florida Panther's second goal last night and did not return.

Breaking #Isles news: Ryan Pulock (undisclosed) did not travel with #Isles to Florida, Newsday has learned. Likely out remainder of series.

— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) April 21, 2016

Update 1: Looks like the injury occurred as he hit the boards just minutes before Alex Petrovic scored what would be the game-winning goal.

Video of Pulock injury - Holds arm rest of shift after initial hit by Wilson. HT Max Gold. #isles https://t.co/BxyrDEcmcE

— Andy Graziano (@tazman19) April 21, 2016

Update 2: Arthur Staple's story for Newsday confirms Pulock will miss at least the rest of this series.

"We're pretty sure he's going to miss the rest of the series," Capuano told Newsday Thursday afternoon just after the Islanders arrived here in advance of Friday's crucial Game 5. "It's a big loss. He's a young guy who was playing real well, he had a couple points, a big goal [in Game 3]. It's a little more adversity we'll have to battle back from."

Pulock had done well points wise so far in the series as he lead the Islanders defense in goals, assists, and points.  His advanced stats were not so kind as he has been last in Corsi for, Fenwick for, and xG for percentages.  Regardless, he has looked pivotal along the blue line on the power play and the team will miss his shot.

Who will replace Pulock remains to be seen, but there's no shortage of options with Marek Zidlicky, Brian Strait, Scott Mayfield, and Adam Pelech all available should there be a need with Kevin Czuczman as a dark horse candidate.  The team saw a similar situation last year and Mayfield was forced into the lineup along side Matt Donovan to mixed results.  The pairing did well in what would turn out to be the last game played at Nassau Veteran's Memorial Coliseum, but were a disaster in Washington as they were eliminated.

Here's hoping that whomever they replace Pulock with will be a bit more serviceable.