Isles Embracing 'Next Man Up' Mentality

With Valtteri Filppula expected to be out four weeks with an upper-body injury, the New York Islanders focus shifted to how they're going to replace the versatile center in the middle of a playoff push.
"It's got to be by committee," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "That's how we've done it all year. Whoever goes in that spot will have to just get it done. We've lost some guys for long periods of time... It is what it is. It's hockey. If someone goes down, it's next man up. Injuries are all a part of the sport. It's not an excuse. It's an opportunity."

The Islanders have a lot of areas to fill in Filppula's absence, so there are many opportunities for players to step up. Filppula centered the third line alongside Leo Komarov, who Trotz refers to as his "Fix-it Felix" duo, for most of the season, as well as the second power-play unit. The two-way center registered 29 points (15G, 14A) through his first year with the Islanders and has been a pillar of the penalty kill, averaging 1:51 SH TOI/GP, the second-highest average among Isles forwards. The 6-foot, 196-pound left-shot has taken the second-most defensive zone draws on the team and owns a faceoff percentage of 48.9%.
Filppula's impact extends beyond the ice, as the 35-year-old offers insightful leadership to the locker room. His absence presents "big shoes to fill," according to captain Anders Lee.
"Fil has been instrumental to our success this year," Lee said. "Obviously, he's got such a veteran presence. He's so smart down the middle. The way he plays the game; he's always plays the right way and finds the right spots. We have some big shoes to fill."

ISLES DAY-TO-DAY: FRITZ RECALLED FROM BRIDGEPORT
Trotz said the initial plan may be to play Komarov at center, where he's filled in on spot-duty this season, though Tanner Fritz, a natural center, was recalled from Bridgeport in the afternoon and is another option. Lee said he's confident in whoever fills Filppula's role, as well as Jordan Eberle, who is listed as day to day with an upper-body injury.
"Guys have stepped up [earlier this season] and filled those roles," Lee said. "I don't think that this is any different. It doesn't make it any easier losing a guy like Fil, but we've got guys in this organization that can do."
With previous injuries this season, the Islanders have learned to rely on one another and grow from the adversity, embracing the next man up mentality.
The Islanders previously filled the void of defenseman Thomas Hickey who missed 10 weeks of action after suffering an upper-body injury on Dec. 17. Devon Toews excelled in the interim, earning a regular spot and the Isles defensive depth forced Hickey to re-earn a place back in the lineup. The Islanders were also without veteran winger Andrew Ladd for nearly three months with a lower-body injury he sustained in mid-November and filled his role with a group approach. More recently, Komarov covered for Casey Cizikas' absence at center, while Kuhnhackl took Cizikas' reps on the penalty kill.

"We've done it all year in terms of everyone coming in and understanding their role and what is expected from everybody system wise too," Ladd said. "Every night it seems like you're playing a team that's fighting to move up in the standings. Everybody is battling for their playoff lives. I think just the importance of sticking to what we do."
So, while it is unfortunate to lose any player at this time of year, the Isles are opting to regroup, rally around one another and tackle the obstacle at hand with a resilient attitude.
"We've just got to stick with it, stay positive and continue to work with one another," Lee said. "We've just got to continue to work hard and get through it. It's one of those things, it stinks, but there's nothing you can do accept have a good outlook on it and try to get better."