The Islanders dodged one injury bullet but might still get hit by another.
Noah Dobson practiced Friday and is expected to play in Game 1 against Carolina on Saturday, coach Patrick Roy said.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, however, did not skate and is day to day with a lower-body issue.
“It’s good to be back with the team today,” Dobson said. “Feeling better. Trying to do everything I can to be ready for Game 1. Had a good skate today so we’ll see how the rest of today goes and tomorrow. Today was definitely a step in the right direction.”
Dobson declined to say exactly what happened to cause the upper-body injury suffered against the Canadiens, which caused him to miss the last two games of the regular season.
If he was trying to be coy about his status, though, Roy put an end to that quickly.
“Dobby was at the practice,” Roy said. “He’s ready to go.”