The New York Islanders received some good news as defenseman Alexander Romanov returned to practice on Monday, showing positive signs of recovering from an upper-body injury. However, the bad news is that he will not be ready to play in the upcoming match against the Oilers on Tuesday night. This leaves the Islanders with a depleted defensive lineup as they try to contain the dynamic duo of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Romanov, who was seen wearing a non-contact sweater during practice, traveled with the team to Alberta, hinting at a possible return during their five-game trip. The 20-year-old defenseman expressed that his return will depend on his pain tolerance and medical clearance, emphasizing that his injury requires time to heal.
With concerns about handling McDavid and Draisaitl, coach Patrick Roy highlighted the importance of limiting their puck possession and maintaining strong defensive play in the neutral and defensive zones. The spotlight will be on Isaiah George, who has impressed in his first NHL games but faces his toughest challenge yet against the Oilers’ star players.
Meanwhile, forward Pierre Engvall has been wearing a neck guard since his time in AHL Bridgeport, becoming the first Islander to do so in games. Engvall mentioned that the extra protection doesn’t bother him and actually feels more secure with it on the ice.
In goal, Ilya Sorokin is expected to start for the Islanders on Tuesday night, leading the team’s defense against the high-powered offense of the Oilers. The Islanders will need to rely on their depth and defensive strategies to compensate for Romanov’s absence and contain the opposition’s top scorers.
