Scott Mayfield finished Saturday’s game after hobbling off the ice following a blocked shot, but it may cost him Tuesday’s match against the Coyotes.
Mayfield was out of practice on Monday with swelling, presumably on his left ankle, which took the meat of Rasmus Dahlin’s slap shot with 2:09 to go in the eventual 3-2 Islanders win.
Coach Lane Lambert was noncommittal on his status for Tuesday, saying only, “We’ll see how he is tomorrow.”
If Mayfield can’t go, Samuel Bolduc would be slotted into the third pair for his season debut alongside Sebastian Aho.
With both of those players being lefties, Aho would likely be the one to shift over to the right, though Bolduc told The Post he would be comfortable doing so if asked.
“Sebastian has played on the right side for sure, so there’s potential,” Lambert said.
For Bolduc, who played 17 games last year as a call-up, each chance at game action is an important step in his development.
“He’s gotta play assertive,” Lambert said. “Let’s put it that way. He knows that. He’s gonna move the puck. He’s a good puck mover. But we need him to be assertive and defend well and be hard around our net.”
Mayfield has dealt with issues in both ankles before, but more recently on the right side.
He broke his left ankle in February 2018, missing 22 games.
Two seasons ago, he missed the last 21 games of the season after a similar play to Saturday night when he blocked a shot off his right ankle.
After blocking Dahlin’s shot on Saturday, Mayfield limped to the bench in apparent pain, but did not go to the room.
He skated another shift and was on the ice for the game’s final 1:14 as the Sabres tried to tie the game up, skating at six-on-four.
Immediately following the game, Lambert said he believed Mayfield would be OK.
Tuesday will be Matt Martin’s 900th NHL game. The 767 games he’s played with the Islanders ranks seventh in franchise history, behind Bob Bourne (814).
Karel Vejmelka will start for the Coyotes in net on Tuesday after Connor Ingram got the start against the Rangers on Monday.