Islanders Forward Kyle Palmieri Out With COVID

And just like that, Kyle Palmieri is going to miss some more time for the New York Islanders. Unfortunately, we learned that Kyle Palmieri was on the list of players who tested positive for COVID around the league today.

Palmieri joins the likes of Jack Hughes, Evgeni Malkin, and others who tested positive today.

With the Islanders playing games on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday this week there's a chance that he can miss all three games which unfortunately wouldn't be the first time he's missed time this season. Palmieri has played in just four games since his return from injury before this positive test.

In 29 games with the Islanders this season, Palmieri has just seven points (1 goal, 6 assists). He's struggled mightily in his first full year on Long Island after performing well in the playoffs last season for New York.

In Palmieri's absence, I'd expect Kieffer Bellows to make his return to the lineup. Bellows has played well when given an opportunity this season. He has nine points in 20 games while averaging 11:58 of ice time and that's with sporadic playing time.

Many have wanted to see Bellows get back into the lineup for the Isles and it looks like they'll get that chance, at least on Wednesday. I'd imagine a lineup looking something like this:

Lee - Barzal - Bailey

Beauvillier - Nelson - Palmieri

Bellows - Pageau - Wahlstrom

Martin - Cizikas - Clutterbuck

We'll see if that's the move for Barry Trotz, who knows perhaps he shakes it up but based on what we've seen this year and with Austin Czarnik going back down I would anticipate we see Bellows on Wednesday.