Grabovski Returns, Reinhart Steps In For Injured Visnovsky As Islanders Ready For Game 5

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Islanders have mostly carried the play through the first four games of their opening-round playoff matchup with the Washington Capitals, but the series is tied nonetheless.

So, with pivotal Game 5 set for Thursday night in Washington, coach Jack Capuano has decided to change things up in an attempt to jump-start an offense that has sputtered over the last two games and fill some holes created by injury.

Perhaps the most important addition will be center Mikhail Grabovski, who has missed the last 27 games, including the playoffs, with a concussion. Despite having just nine goals and 19 points this season, Grabovski's possession numbers contributed greatly to the Islanders' early season success.

In all, New York went 34-16-1 with him in the lineup and 13-12-6 without him during the regular season.

"He brings speed, deception and can back off the opposition with his speed," Capuano said of Grabovski. "He's a guy that's played in some big games before. He'll be excited to play. Obviously when you haven't played in a while there's always the timing issue as we saw when Kyle (Okposo) came back. But he's practiced a little longer than Kyle has and he's battled hard for us and he's going to get that opportunity. For me, he deserves the opportunity."

Grabovski replaced Brock Nelson in the lineup. Nelson scored twice in the Isles' 4-1 win in Game 1, but has been quiet since. The Islanders scored a total of three goals in Games 3 and 4, and their power play is 0-for-10 for the series.

As for the Islanders' banged-up defense corps, which has been without Travis Hamonic since the end of the regular season, Lubomir Visnovsky is out indefinitely following the big hit he received from the Caps' Tom Wilson on Tuesday night. Rookie Griffin Reinhart was inserted into the lineup, paired with Thomas Hickey.

"(Reinhart) has played a lot of hockey games. I know the NHL is a little different. Guys will tell you it's a little easier because of the structure of the NHL vs. the AHL. For me, he's got size and reach if he gets in there and that's something that we're obviously looking for against a big team that Washington has," Capuano said.