What happened: The New York Islanders announced that defenseman Ryan Pulock and forward Matias Maccelli will play Thursday night against the Kings. Pulock returns after being ruled out with an upper-body injury on Nov. 1. Maccelli rejoins the roster following a lower-body injury that landed him on injured reserve in late October.

Why it matters: The activations restore key depth to New York's defensive pairings and forward corps amid early regular-season play. Pulock's return stabilizes the blue line, while Maccelli adds playmaking to the middle six. Their availability provides immediate reinforcement as the team navigates a stretch of returning skaters.

What to watch: The Islanders face the Kings on Thursday night, with both skaters expected to integrate back into regular game rotations.