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Islanders Put Defenseman Hickey On IR With Lower-Body Injury

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- This is why the Islanders like to have a lot of defensemen at the ready.

The team announced Monday that veteran Thomas Hickey has been placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury. Newsday reported that Hickey will miss at least a month due to the injury, which is believed to be to his left leg, though the Islanders said there has not been a timetable set for his return.

Hickey had missed just one regular season game over the previous two seasons, but struggled to stay healthy to begin the 2015-16 campaign. He missed the first four games while still dealing with a fractured thumb he suffered during training camp and then was hit with his latest setback during the Islanders' 3-2 overtime win in St. Louis on Saturday.

When on the ice, Hickey has been excellent, recording a pair of goals and a plus-1 rating in four games.

According to Newsday, Brian Strait will be plugged into Hickey's spot and paired with veteran Marek Zidlicky for the foreseeable future.

The Islanders (5-2-1) take on Calgary on Monday night at Barclays Center. The Flames (2-6-0) are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.

Jaroslav Halak is expected to start in goal for the Islanders.

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