UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- The New York Islanders, already without top defenseman Travis Hamonic, might be down another one after a physical, 2-1 loss in Game 4 against the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
The team played without Lubomir Visnovsky after the veteran blueliner left the game following a devastating hit from Caps fourth-line forward Tom Wilson in the second period.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Islanders forward Kyle Okposo was vocal about his displeasure with Wilson's aggressiveness on the play.
"He's an idiot," Okposo said. "The guy runs around, hits reckless, leaves his feet. There's no place for that."
Visnovsky, who got absolutely rocked along the end boards, was slow to get up and required assistance while skating off to the trainer's room. He did not return to the game.
Wilson was assessed a minor charging penalty on the play. A source told ESPN that Wilson will not face any supplementary discipline for the hit.
This is the second straight game in which Visnovsky was shaken up. He also left Game 3 after a hard hit but later returned to pick up a critical assist in the team's 2-1 overtime victory.