NY Islanders place J.G. Pageau on injured reserve, recall Andy Andreoff

On Monday, the NY Islanders recalled Otto Koivula from the Bridgeport Islanders. We thought it was to replace an under-the-weather Casey Cizikas, however, we learned the following day that wasn't the case. Cizikas was a game-time decision for Tuesday's contest, however, he dressed and played between Zach Parise and Simon Holmstrom on the third line. Instead, it was J.G. Pageau who was unexpectedly sidelined with an injury and Koivula played his first NHL game this season. On Thursday, the Islanders placed Pageau on injured reserve retroactively to Feb. 11th and recalled Andy Andreoff from Bridgeport. The extent of Pageau's injury is unclear, however, has been classified as a lower-body injury.

Pageau has had a solid season thus far as the Islanders third line center. In 56 games, he's accrued 10 goals and 29 points. For however long he is out, the Islanders will miss his ability to win faceoff draws. Pageau, as he usually does, is winning a team-best 56.5% of faceoff draws this season. It becomes especially important on special teams, where he's one of the Islanders best penalty killers and while on the second unit power play, it usually gives the Islanders first possession of the puck.

Andreoff has yet to play in the NHL this season, but in 145 career NHL games, he's scored 14 goals and collected 26 points. In Bridgeport, Andreoff is the second-leading point collector behind only Chris Terry. Andreoff has scored 20 goals and 38 points in 46 AHL games this season. He's also shooting at what appears to be an elevated 18.5 shooting percentage, something the Islanders hope he can bring with him while he's on recall.

Andreoff has one NHL stint with the Islanders in his career. Last season, the 30-year-old center scored one goal in six games.