Islanders activate Grabovski off injured reserve

Mikhail Grabovski will be available for Game 5 after getting activated off IR. (USATSI)

The New York Islanders could have a welcome addition to the lineup when they look to regain the series lead against the Washington Capitals in Game 5 on Thursday. Forward Mikhail Grabovski was activated off of injured reserve after missing 28 games with a concussion.

Grabovski hasn’t played since Feb. 19, but said Wednesday that he is “ready to go.”

He had 19 points in 51 games this season, his first with the Islanders after signing as an unrestricted free agent last summer.

It is unclear if Grabovski will play, however. Head coach Jack Capuano said Wednesday that there was a “real good chance” that he would be inserted into the lineup. The Islanders are still trying to figure out where, though. A natural center, Grabovski could play down the middle or could be slotted on the wing.

Update: Capuano confirmed Thursday that Grabovski is in the Game 5 lineup.

The 31-year-old has only been part of the Stanley Cup Playoffs once in his career. He was part of that seven-game series in which the Toronto Maple Leafs fell to the Boston Bruins in 2013. He had two assists and was a minus-10 in that series.

Also, Grabovski was a member of the Washington Capitals last season, so he certainly has familiarity with the team across the ice from the Islanders.

As Grabovski returns, however, the Islanders suffered another loss to their defense. Lubomir Visnovsky is out indefinitely after being on the wrong end of a massive hit from Capitals forward Tom Wilson. Rookie Ryan Pulock, who has never played in an NHL game, could take his spot in the lineup as he was skating with the Islanders on Thursday morning according to Arthur Staple of Newsday.

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