Injury-riddled Islanders get two-week break at perfect time

It’s a subjective measure, with no way to prove it.But the Islanders might be benefiting more from two weeks off than any other team in the NHL. With an injured list that includes Mat Barzal, Noah Dobson, Marcus Hogberg, Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock, Semyon Varlamov and Mike Reilly, getting two weeks where everyone can recover without adding to their total of missed games is a potentially huge deal for a team that was running on fumes and lost three of four games heading into the break. “I think we’ll use this break just to reset,” Kyle Palmieri said.

“Hopefully get a couple guys back and refresh ourselves physically and mentally for the push that’s coming at the end of the month.” While some of those injuries are not going to get better in two weeks, the hope is that at least Hogberg (upper body) and Mayfield (lower body) will be back by the time the season restarts on Feb.23 against the Stars. General manager Lou Lamoriello said last weekend that Hogberg’s timeline was approximately four weeks, which would place his return right around when the season picks up again.

Mayfield has been called day to day, though he did not travel with the team to Winnipeg and Minnesota for the last two games before the break. Dobson and Pulock, who both have lower-body injuries, are also expected to start skating during the break, though it’s not clear when their timelines are.Barzal had surgery on what’s believed to be a left kneecap injury last week and is still out indefinitely.

Varlamov (lower body) and Reilly (heart) are also on indefinite timetables. “For the guys that are hurt, it’s kinda free time,” Brock Nelson said.“You’re not missing games and you’re trying to make the most of it and work your way back.

I know everybody that’s hurt is doing everything they can to try and get back and working their way, making as much progress as they can. “This is an important two weeks even for the guys that aren’t banged up and out.To res...