Islanders place Boychuk on injured reserve

The New York Islanders have been dealt a big blow to their blue line.

The Islanders placed defenseman Johnny Boychuk on injured reserve Friday due to an upper-body injury.

#Isles Transaction: Johnny Boychuk placed on the team's IR list (upper body). Time frame not released until he sees team doctors next week.

- New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 1, 2016

Boychuk sustained the injury after he missed an attempted hit on Jack Eichel during the third period of Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres.

The 31-year-old has three goals and 11 assists in 38 points this season.

The Islanders have recalled Adam Pelech from the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers to coincide with Boychuk's sudden absence.

The 21-year-old has two goals and four assists in 26 games in the AHL this season.

Copyright (C) 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.