Ryan Strome Injury Update: Islanders lose forward to reported broken wrist

The New York Islanders’ big win over their city rival Rangers Wednesday night came with at least one significant cost: Ryan Strome, who left the game late in the second period, is expected to miss at least the next two games with an “upper body” injury.

Interim head coach Doug Weight said after the game he expects Strome to be out for this weekend’s games against the Penguins and Bruins and “probably longer.”

Update: It’s a broken wrist, which is indeed bad news:

While taking a pretty innocent looking hit along the boards from Brady Skjei as Strome sent the puck back to the defense from the right wing in the defensive zone, Strome fell to the ice, got up and went straight to the bench favoring his arm.

It’s been a second consecutive up-and-down season for Strome, who could not seem to find the secret to pleasing former coach Jack Capuano. He’s shown more life and confidence under Capuano’s interim replacement, however. His 13 goals are five more than he had in last season and closer to his career high of 17 in his breakout 2014-15.

Perhaps as importantly, Weight has trusted Strome at center, a position he all but lost under Capuano.

The Islanders have plenty of depth at center though, with Brock Nelson, rookie Anthony Beauvillier, and Alan Quine — a healthy scratch Wednesday -- all slotting there at times in addition to stalwarts John Tavares and Casey Cizikas. Shane Prince may also be available depending on where Weight wants to slot his forwards.