Matias Maccelli's injury has left New York Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer facing another serious lineup concern.
The Islanders winger suffered a lower-body injury Saturday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, leaving the game late in the first period and never returning.
The incident happened when Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh tripped Maccelli, causing his leg to twist awkwardly as he fell to the ice.
Raddysh received a penalty, but the bigger concern was Maccelli's condition. The Islanders quickly ruled him out for the remainder of the contest.
Sports physician Dr. Harjas Grewal has now raised concerns about the possible severity of the injury, suggesting Maccelli could face an extended absence.
According to Grewal, the movement of Maccelli's leg could indicate a high ankle sprain or MCL injury, potentially requiring 4-6 weeks of recovery.
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Maccelli faces possible groin strain after game vs. Leafs
Grewal also identified a possible right groin strain, although the recovery timeline would depend on the severity of the damage.
Those possibilities remain medical projections rather than confirmed diagnoses. The Islanders have yet to announce the full extent of Maccelli's injury or establish an official return date.
The timing couldn't be much worse for New York. Maccelli had earned a place on the top line and was receiving opportunities on the first power-play unit.
He entered Saturday's matchup riding a five-game point streak, making his sudden departure particularly frustrating for a team relying on his offensive production.
DeBoer already has another significant absence to manage, with Mathew Barzal sidelined by a knee injury. Losing Maccelli would create another opening in the top six.
The coaching staff could now be forced to reshuffle its forward combinations and reconsider its power-play deployment if the winger requires significant recovery time.
For Maccelli, the injury also came against his former Maple Leafs teammates, adding another disappointing element to what should have been an important return to Toronto.
New York's next medical update will determine whether this becomes a short-term setback or a major early-season problem for DeBoer's lineup.
Will the New York Islanders struggle without Matias Maccelli if he misses 4-6 weeks?
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