With the Islanders’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread, Romanov and Scott Mayfield — who will spell Dobson on the top pair — will be shouldering a huge burden starting with Friday’s match at UBS Arena against the Flyers.

Noah Dobson is out week to week for the Islanders because of a lower-body injury that will not require surgery. The defenseman was injured on a hit by Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger at 1:14 of the third period during a 3-1 win Monday. Dobson left under his own power but did not return.

Pulock headed straight to the Islanders' dressing room just 15 seconds into the first period appearing to favor his left arm.

Romanov leads the Islanders with 75 hits, 6.43 hits per 60, while also leading in blocks per 60, with 6.26, while averaging the third-most minutes at 21:51 per game. With Noah Dobson now out due to injury and with no timetable for his return, Romanov will be heavily relied upon to carry out some of the workload.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (lower body) has been placed on IR due to an injury suffered on Monday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Dobson will be sidelined week-to-week, but his injury will not require surgery.

Dobson 's lower-body injury will not require surgery but he is still considered week-to-week, Stefen Rosner of NHL.com reports Thursday.

Alexander Romanov and Anders Lee also scored for the Islanders, who won their season-high fourth straight and seventh in the last nine.

New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock left in the first period of action versus the Carolina Hurricanes after falling behind the net. Later in the third period, goaltender Marcus Högberg exited the game and was replaced by Ilya Sorokin.

He has been the lone player in the Islanders’ top four who hasn’t dealt with injuries this season, but his status is a major concern after Monday night.

Dobson did not participate in Tuesday’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center and the team announced he was dealing with a lower-body injury suffered in Monday night’s 3-1 win over the Blue Jackets at UBS Arena. The Islanders said there was no timetable yet for Dobson’s recovery.

In the New York Islanders ' matchup with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday, defenseman Noah Dobson left the game early due to an apparent injury in the third period. Dobson left the game at 1:14 of the final frame after taking a hit from Columbus' Cole Sillinger: