Islanders top Rangers with what seems a lineup close to opening night's
Islanders coach Pete DeBoer. Credit: Newsday/Howard Schnapp
The limitations of the Islanders’ lineup, its potential for improvement and what roster battles remained were all on display on Tuesday night in a 4-3 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden in their second preseason match.
The lines, defense pairs and goalie tandem strongly hinted at what’s expected for the season opener, a week away in Toronto.
“You always start with what you hope will stick,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “The reality is that we’re usually never right. We’re not smart enough to get that figured out right off the bat.”
The standouts were a 3-for-5 performance on the power play with two of those goals from newcomer Matias Maccelli and backup goalie Semyon Varlamov stopping all nine shots he faced in 30:15. It was his first NHL action since Nov. 29, 2024 as he returns from two partial knee replacements.
“What we liked was just the skill element,” DeBoer said of signing Maccelli. “You need a certain amount of goals in this league in order to get in the playoffs regardless of how well you defend."
New captain Bo Horvat centered Simon Holmstrom and Kyle Palmieri on a top line that should make it to the season opener by default presuming rookie Victor Eklund doesn’t force his way onto the trio. Ditto for the second line of Cal Ritchie between Maccelli and Brayden Schenn presuming Mathew Barzal (left knee) remains unavailable.
The Islanders finished 24th in the NHL last season in goals scored with an average of 2.8 per game and ranked 30th on the power play. An improved power play will obviously help but Horvat and Palmieri, returning from an ACL injury that cost him most of last season, may be the only threats to reach 30 goals.
“I like our line a lot,” Horvat said. “I think we’ve got a little bit of everything. Defensive play. Offensive abilities, too. Palms looks great coming off an ACL surgery. Hands are still there. His speed looks great.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau, a lock to center the third line, was between Eklund and fellow former first-rounder Cole Eiserman. Eklund’s playmaking, skating and attention to defense almost makes him a necessity for the team’s balance. Eiserman’s blistering shot is unique and would also add to the team’s offense.
Longtime fourth-line stalwart Casey Cizikas skated between fellow grinders Kyle MacLean (goal) and Mitchell Chaffee. But not dressing on Tuesday were Emil Heineman — a lineup lock most likely on Pageau’s line — Ondrej Palat, Anthony Duclair and Pierre Engvall. Duclair has been used on the second power play unit during training camp, hinting at an opening-night role, likely on the fourth line.
Defensemen Ryan Pulock and Alexander Romanov also did not dress on Tuesday and both will be among the top six.
Left-handed shooting Matthew Schaefer (one goal, two assists on the power play) played on his off-side with fellow lefty Adam Pelech and it would be a shock if that wasn’t the opening night top pair. That would open a spot for left-handers Isaiah George or Kashawn Aitcheson — both in Tuesday’s lineup — to earn. Right-hander Scott Mayfield (five blocked shots, one fight), paired with George on Tuesday, is also battling to remain in the top six.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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