"Kyle Okposo's toughest opponent the first three months of the hockey season has been boredom.

The Islanders forward has missed the first 44 games of the season following shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in late September, days before his season was to begin.

Okposo will make his season debut Thursday night when the Islanders play host to the Capitals.

"Just bored a lot, watched a lot of hockey, anything I can do to pass the time," Okposo said in an interview posted on the team's website."