Islanders continue tinkering with blue line personnel

Marshall Warren is up and Adam Boqvist is back in the lineup for the Islanders.At least for now, that’s where things stand on the blue line after Travis Mitchell was sent down Wednesday.Warren, who played two games with the Islanders earlier this season, was called up in Mitchell’s place but will be the extra defenseman against Vancouver on Friday, with Boqvist playing on the left side of Scott Mayfield on the third pair.“We just try different things,” coach Patrick Roy told reporters after Thursday’s practice.

“All year, since the start of the year, we said we’re gonna try different things with our lines.We do the same thing with our guys.“At first, losing [Alexander Romanov to injury], it was a big loss for us.

He was playing really well.And then Boqy came and started playing on the left side.

We were not sure if it was a good fit for him on the left side.That’s why we tried Mitchell there, I thought he played really well.

We saw what Warren could do as well.”Boqvist, a righty, has played eight games on his off side this year with mixed results.The last of those came in Tampa on Dec.

6, which was the only game of the past 10 that Boqvist has played.“I feel like it’s tough for a righty on the left side,” Roy said.“So I want to see how he catches those passes, what he can do on the rush, hands, netfront stuff.

So it’s an opportunity.I really love the way he’s been [practicing].

Seriously, he’s a great teammate and doing everything right, so I’m kind of happy to see him play.”Roy left the door open for Bo Horvat (lower body) to travel to Buffalo on Saturday, saying the decision has yet to be made.Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.

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