Matt Carkner Rumors & News

Philadelphia Flyers center Brayden Schenn (10) flies into New York Islanders defenseman Matt Carkner (7) on a check behind the net in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, April 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Paul J. Bereswill)

New York Islanders' Josh Bailey (12) skates in to celebrate Mark Streit's (2) goal against the Pittsburgh Penguins with teammate's Matt Carkner (7) and Kyle Okposo (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game on Friday, March 22, 2013 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)

We'll get the pertinent changes out of the way at the top for tonight's meeting between the Islanders and Canadiens: Michael Grabner returns to the lineup (Eric Boulton sits). Kevin Poulin gets his first start since Feb. 24 (and just his second of the season). Matt Carkner also re-enter the lineup, returning from a groin injury that's kept him out since Feb. 5. He replaces Radek Martinek. Islanders (13-13-3, 10th/E) vs. Canadiens (19-5-5, 2nd/E)7 p.m. EST | MSG+ | Audio: NHL - WRHUNassau [gloriously unsponsored] Veterans Mem. ColiseumExtension Central: Habs Eyes on the Prize T...

In preparation for Thursday's meeting with the Maple Leafs, the Islanders practiced at Nassau Coliseum today, yielding some post-practice updates. Matt Carkner's groin injury has had a setback -- enough that the Isles updated his status to "out indefinitely" with an injury that first landed him on IR three weeks ago. They posted some clips on Radek Martinek, with talk from him, Mark Streit, and Jack Capuano: They also tweeted out some quotes from the morning, including from Capuano on last night: "Boston probably the best team we've played & our 37 shots were a season-hig...

Immediate details from New York Islanders practice this morning after the 4-1 loss to the Rangers last night: Kyle Okposo didn't skate (sick), but Brett Cyrgalis of the Post says he is expected to be available tomorrow. In his spot on the Frans Nielsen line skated Josh Bailey, who has been activated off of suspension... ...for which space was created by putting Matt Carkner on IR (groin). Oh, and Lubomir Visnovsky, activated yesterday, got his first practice with the team. Visnovsky, via the Islanders: "I'm very excited to be here. It's a new hockey team and new, young faces and I...

These are the things we know from Jack Capuano's media scrum after the morning skate: Matt Carkner has a lower body issue, but the defense is a "game time decision." No one expects Lubomir Visnovsky to be that replacement -- Capuano said they'd know on him and Josh Bailey in the next couple of days -- but he did pass his physical and is now on the 23-man roster. Presumably Joe Finley plays. Eric Boulton is in the lineup tonight because, because. As of the morning, Capuano said Casey Cizikas "as of right now" was who would be scratched for Boulton, but they'd wait until tonight to...