Brian Strait potted his first career playoff goal to open the scoring Tuesday in New York's 6-4 Game 4 victory.

Scoring against the Pittsburgh Penguins must've felt great for him after he was waived by the club prior to the season. Strait also has nine hits and four blocks in four games in the series.

Defenseman Brian Strait has a number of reasons he would like to prove his worth to the Islanders in their opening round playoff series with the Penguins.

Not only was Strait waived by the Penguins prior to the season, adding some extra motivation for him, but the rugged blueliner would like to show he belongs as an NHL regular, which he has become for the first time in his career. In order to maximize his effectiveness, Strait understand he may need to get under the skin of his opponents. "I'm on top of my game when I play physical," Strait said. "If that makes me a target, so be it. If they're more worried about me than our skill guys, I don't know what to tell you."

The New York Islanders have activated Brian Strait (ankle) from the injured reserve list.

Strait has missed roughly two months due to an ankle injury. He has four points in 15 contests in 2013.

Brian Strait (ankle) isn't too far from returning.

Strait should be able to play before the regular season ends. He has four assists in 15 games this season.

Brian Strait was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday morning after suffering a broken left ankle back in February.

Strait might not play again this season but he said he's progressing smoothly from a broken left ankle injury. "I'm pretty confident it'll be sooner rather than later," Strait said. "It's been real positive to see how the ankle's getting back into shape." In either case, Streit has limited fantasy value.

Brian Strait suffered a broken left ankle Monday, which could put his availability for the remainder of the 2013 season in jeopardy.

He got his skate caught a rut on the ice in the second period and stumbled feet-first into the side boards. "He's going to be out a while," coach Jack Capuano said without revealing an exact timetable. Strait was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 18 and promptly signed to a three-year, $2.325-million extension Jan. 31. In 15 games with the Islanders, he had four assists and a plus-3 rating.

The New York Islanders have inked Brian Strait to a three-year, one-way contract.

He will reportedly make $775,000 per year. Strait was picked up off waivers from Pittsburgh on Jan. 18 and he has played in six games with his new club. He doesn't have a point yet, but has recorded six shots and 10 hits.

The New York Islanders have claimed Brian Strait off of waivers.

Strait has no points and 34 penalty minutes in 26 AHL games this season. The Islanders could use an extra blueliner after suspending Lubomir Visnovsky for his failure to report to training camp.

Brian Strait was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh on Thursday.

If he clears then he'll probably be sent to AHL Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins announced the signing of defenseman Brian Strait to an AHL deal on Wednesday.

He skated in nine games with Pittsburgh last year and in 41 contests with the Baby Penguins.