It has barely been a week since Mike Reilly joined the Islanders and it is only now that he is getting a chance to actually spend some time on Long Island.
Such is life when three-game road trips get in the way of moving.
“Basically the first day I got here we went right on the road,” Reilly said following Wednesday’s optional practice. “So it’s kinda nice to get settled at home a little bit, kinda get back home and breathe a little bit.
“Obviously that was a pretty successful road trip for us. I think for me, it’s just get more games here. Just feel more comfortable as it goes along here.”
The 30-year-old former Bruin has eased nicely into a role on the third defense pair as the Islanders wait for Sebastian Aho and Adam Pelech to work their way back into full health.
Reilly’s shorthanded goal and power-play assist in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Sharks on Tuesday marked his first points as an Islander and Nos. 99 and 100 of his career.
“I think that’s a big part of my game, at least just getting up the ice,” Reilly said. “As I’ve gotten older here, you learn to pick your spots a little bit. I think even if you’re not really in the play and you’re at least jumping into the play and following up, you’re at least gonna help your gap and that’s a big thing I’ve learned over the years.”
The Islanders have left points on the table in as frustrating a fashion as could be.
But their 3-1-3 record since suffering the pair of injuries on the back end is a good sign that they are not about to let the losses derail their season.
Reilly, averaging 11:15 over his first four matches in blue and orange, has become an integral part of how.
“He’s been doing a great job stepping in,” Noah Dobson said. “Obviously [he’s] got offensive instinct. You saw last night, great goal, great pass to [Ryan Pulock], too. He’s been good, he’s been a puck-mover. He’s fit in really well.”
Aho (upper body) continued to skate with the group but coach Lane Lambert said he will not play on Thursday against Columbus.
Pelech (upper body) has yet to begin skating as he works his way back from an upper-body injury that landed him on long-term injured reserve.
Read more
