Islanders’ Cal Ritchie back ahead of schedule for pre-Olympic finale

NEWARK, NJ — New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy said after Monday night’s loss to the Washington Capitals that rookie center Cal Ritchie would be out until after the NHL’s Olympic break due to a lower-body injury.

On Thursday morning, ahead of the Islanders’ pre-Olympic finale in New Jersey against the Devils, Ritchie was centering the second line with Jonathan Drouin and Emil Heineman, ready to go.

“It was just a slow progression each day, and every day it felt a lot better,” Ritchie said. “This was the first day where I feel like I can actually play.”

The 21-year-old, who was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche last season in the Brock Nelson trade, had missed the previous six games. He had seven goals and eight assists (15 points) in his first 40 games as a versatile option that could play center or the wing of the bottom three lines.

“It feels like it’s been a long time… I’m lucky to be back before the break,” Ritchie, who stressed the importance of getting back before the three-week Olympic break, said. “It’s huge. You have three weeks off now coming up, so I don’t want five weeks off.”

Along with second-line duties, he also worked with the second power-play unit. He will slot into the lineup for Anthony Duclair, who was benched with 3:17 left in the first period of Tuesday night’s overtime win against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“He looks good,” Roy said of Ritchie. “He skated [Wednesday], felt really good. It was nice to see him on the power play and moving that puck. So we’re excited to have him back.”

For more on Cal Ritchie and the Islanders, visit AMNY.com