Islanders lose Hamonic for rest of regular season

The New York Islanders have suffered a major loss on their blue line, as head coach Jack Capuano announced Friday that defenseman Travis Hamonic has been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season with a lower-body injury.

Hamonic left Thursday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets after what appeared to be a knee-on-knee collision with forward Scott Hartnell.

Capuano says the blue-liner will be re-evaluated at the end of the season, according to Newsday's Laura Albanese.

The 25-year-old leads his team in ice time, averaging just under 24 minutes per game. He has recorded five goals and 16 assists in 72 games.

The Islanders have yet to clinch a playoff spot, but have won three consecutive games to build a six-point cushion over the top non-playoff team, the Detroit Red Wings, with six games remaining.