John Tavares Listed Week-to-Week by Islanders

It all comes down to a few key games at the end of the season, and the Islanders will be without the services of John Tavares after suffering a hamstring injury late against the Devils.

The play was completely harmless, John Tavares was just looking to get body position on the New Jersey defender when he seemingly caught a rut in the ice and went down clutching the back of his leg.

It was the absolute worst thing that could happen to this team, who, believe it or not, still has playoff aspirations.

Down goes the talismanic player and top point producer for the team for the two weeks that will define the team’s entire season.

With 66 points (28 goals, 38 assists) on the season, Tavares stands head-and-shoulders above the rest of the team. Sure, Anders Lee has 29 goals on the season, but that assist column looks mighty thin at 17. Comparatively at least.

Week-to-week. So even if by some magical force the Islanders find a way to win their remaining games and make the playoffs. Tavares might still not be ready to go.

Who’s going to take the offensive lead on this team? Josh Bailey and Anders Lee? Who centers that first line?

The Islanders only remaining healthy centers are Brock Nelson, Josh Ho-Sang, and Alan Quine. There’s a clear option there, and that’s Ho-Sang.

But are the Islanders ready to give him that slot? History tells us that they aren’t. Meaning the top line is probably going to look something like Bailey-Nelson-Lee to try and get the Islanders into the playoffs.

Next: Isles Offseason Action Plan

The season still isn’t over, and this injury couldn’t come at a worse time. Everyone hopes John Tavares recovers well and that this isn’t something that lingers for weeks or, God forbid, longer.