NHL

This could've been much worse. Despres' skate came up high on a hit and caught Cizikas. The forward went to the locker room immediately but it didn't seem as bad as other skate incidents we've seen over the years.

He's an underrated two-way player with solid scoring ability, so definitely put him in your lineup if available.

He brings size and a solid amount of skill to the table, so he's at least worth watching. The Islanders selected him 30th overall in the 2010 NHL Draft.

In fact, he is skating with the regulars at practice Saturday morning. Frans Nielsen is also on the ice but appears to be skating on his own.

He sustained a lower-body injury in Thursday's game and did not skate on Friday. At best, we are pegging Nielsen as a game-time decision. If you have other options on your playoff roster we would avail ourselves of them.

The defenseman sustained a broken hand in Game 4 and the Islanders missed his presence on the back end in Thursday's 4-0 loss to Pittsburgh.

The Islanders have to win to force a Game 7 back in Pittsburgh, but they may have to do it without the services of Nielsen, who was hurt on Thursday.