Matt Martin hit the ice with the New York Islanders for morning skate on Saturday ahead of their game against the Florida Panthers, while Adam Pelech and Hudson Fasching were absent.
Martin is expected to play against the Panthers on a line with Cal Clutterbuck and Kyle MacLean after missing Thursday's game with an illness.
Pelech (upper-body, day to day) was hit in the head by Brendan Gallagher in the third period of Thursday's contest in Montreal. The NHL Dept. of Player Safety announced on Friday that the Canadiens winger was given a five-game suspension.
"Every time you lose a player like Adam, the suspension is no longer important, we're losing a quality player," Head Coach Patrick Roy said. "Adam was playing so well for this team. In the three games I've been with him, he was one of our best defensemen."
Pelech has four assists and 42 blocks through 25 games this season. Mike Reilly is expected to draw back into the lineup after missing Thursday's game as a healthy scratch.
Fasching (lower-body, day to day) missed morning skate after he left the game in the second period of Thursday's game. The 28-year-old winger has eight points (3G, 5A) through 35 games this season.
In other lineup news, Oliver Wahlstrom is expected to draw into the lineup for the first time since Jan. 16, replacing Julien Gauthier. Wahlstrom has five points (2G, 3A) through 22 games this season.
"I met with him this morning and asked him if he was comfortable," Roy said of Wahlstrom. "I really want to make sure that when a player comes into the lineup, he feels good so all he has to worry about is playing the game."
