Mike Reilly Interview Ahead Of Return To Lineup
It's been 135 days since Reilly got to skate in an NHL game.
On Sunday night, the New York Islanders will welcome defenseman Mike Reilly back into the lineup for the first time since Nov. 1 when they host the Florida Panthers.
With Adam Pelech day-to-day with a lower-body injury, the 31-year-old will skate alongside Scott Mayfield in his return.
Reilly, after sustaining a concussion back on Nov. 1, had to undergo a heart procedure after a heart defect was discovered soon after.
Following Sunday’s morning skate, Reilly spoke to us:
Q: What are your emotions right now?
A: “I'm so excited. It's been a long, long time, obviously. A lot of work was put in with the hope of coming back at some point this season. So, obviously, I’m excited just to be back with the guys here and I’m ready to go tonight.”
Q: You were on the California trip, back traveling with your teammates. What was the past week like, momentum-wise, leading up to tonight?
A: “Yeah, it’s great. When I got cleared for full contact and then being able to travel with the guys and get back to practicing with them, getting back into the day-to-day routine a little bit [was great]. That's something I didn't get for a couple of months there. So just to get back into that rhythm, get close to game shape as possible, in terms of getting back to that routine and practicing with the guys, making sure I’m conditioned and my timing is as good as it can be.”
Q: What do you expect from yourself in your first game back?
A: “Just keep it simple a little bit for sure. My feet are maybe my best asset, so I think if I can use my legs a little bit in all three zones, be aggressive, closing on guys or jumping into the rush…if I can just focus on that, the basics a little bit, I think that'll help the rest of my game. But, I’m just going to try to move the puck quick and definitely use my feet.”
Q: At what point did you go from solely watching the games above to analyzing what you were seeing to prepare for a return?
A: “I always enjoy watching hockey just in general, but obviously, when it got closer a little bit, I was just trying to pick up on some things. You’re watching the game more as if you were on the ice instead of in the stands and whatnot. But, yeah, it’s just a small little way that you can stay sharp a little bit, just see reads and just dial in a little bit more, kind of like you're actually on the ice a little bit as a player. Right away, it was more just taking a break a little bit and taking a breath. Probably halfway through the whole recovery, I was watching the game on a different aspect in terms of what you're saying.”
Q: When did you find out you were coming back into the lineup?
A: “This morning. I figured it'd be somewhat soon. I just didn't know when. And for me, it was just being patient and trying to use my practice time like it's a game. I know you get kind of this late in the season and practice is practice sometimes. But, for me, that's kind of like my game a little bit, especially the last two weeks, since I've been cleared here. Even if it's minimal reps, it's still something for me, so I got to take advantage of that. So that's something for me to try to get my mind on the game as quick as possible.”
Q: What was the reaction from your teammates when they found out you were coming back in?
A: “I feel like they almost didn't believe it for a second. I don't think there was a definitive date, for sure. So it kind of just happened this morning, actually. And some guys didn't know until they got on the ice and whatnot. Some guys were laughing a little bit, just like, wow, I'm back, so they’re obviously excited. Although the past couple of months, I haven't been here as much day to day and on the road and whatnot, but it's, especially the last two or so weeks, just to be back with the guys, it's special.”
Q: How do you balance coming back into the lineup and getting comfortable and just knowing your team needs to essentially win every night to make the playoffs?
A: “Yeah, obviously we're aware of where we're at, just naturally looking at the standings and whatnot. But yeah, we were in a similar spot a little bit last year in terms of, it's a little bit of a do or die in a way. We relished that last year, and went on a run there at the end of the year. So definitely, there’s belief int the room, for sure. So we're obviously going against a great opponent tonight, and we obviously need to string some together.”
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