Pulock and Maccelli Return to Islanders Lineup

The New York Islanders are bringing back defenseman Ryan Pulock and forward Matias Maccelli for their meeting with the Los Angeles Kings on November 12. Their returns come as the team looks to end a four-game losing streak and ease pressure on a roster hit by injuries.

Pulock missed four games with a shoulder injury after leaving the Islanders’ November 1 game against Minnesota following an awkward check. The shoulder had been repaired in the offseason. His return gives New York another option on the right side of its defense, where Alex Romanov’s season-ending absence had left Scott Mayfield and Matt Kessel rotating into roles higher on the depth chart.

Maccelli was sidelined for three and a half weeks with a lower-body injury after collecting six points in his first eight games with the Islanders. He is expected to join Brayden Schenn and Victor Eklund on the second line and could also play on the top power-play unit. Maccelli said he wants to regain the form he showed before the injury, while recognizing he will need to get his legs moving after the layoff. Pulock said returning to play is exciting and that managing discomfort is part of being available to help the team.