NY Islanders: Kyle Palmieri has been rolling despite missing most of the preseason

After missing much of training camp and the preseason due to an undisclosed injury, Kyle Palmieri has been one of the NY Islanders' top performers so far this season.

Last year, Palmieri was one of the Isles' most frustrating players through the early part of the season. Through his first eight games, Palmieri registered only three points (two goals, one assist). In that same span this season, he's already recorded seven points, co-leading the team along with Noah Dobson, and has at least one in all but a single game.

The trio of Palmieri, Pierre Engvall, and Brock Nelson found chemistry after the acquisition of Engvall last season and has continued that success into the early stages of this season.

“From Day one I think that was the plan, to start us off together,” Palmieri told Joe Pantorno of amNewYork. “We had some familiarity and good chemistry from last year, and we just want to continue that. We complement each other well as a line… It’s an easy fit. We’re able to create and make an impact on the game.”

Using the analytic metric Corsi For Percentage, which dictates shots attempted for and against while on the ice at even-strength, Palmieri leads the Islanders at 54.92% per Natural Stat Trick. Use analytics as you please, but the numbers surely represent the Isles' dominance with Palmieri on the ice at 5v5.

On what has been anemic power play so far this season, Palmieri has been one of the few bright spots. On the ice for all three team goals on the man advantage, Palmieri has points on all three, finding the back of the net once himself and contributing two assists.

Health is the number one concern for Palmieri and the Isles, as the Smithtown native has missed 13 and 27 games, respectively, over the last two seasons. Palms is an integral piece to keeping the second-line rolling and is beginning to look like the player the Isles hoped for when they parted with a first-round pick for his services.