The Islanders are riding high after a gritty 1-0 shutout win over the Oilers, and they didn’t waste any time getting back to work. Less than 24 hours later, the squad was back on the ice in Calgary for practice, staying sharp ahead of their next matchup.
Lines Taking Shape in Calgary
Friday’s practice gave us a look at how the Islanders are configuring their forward groups and defensive pairings. The top line featured Anders Lee, Mathew Barzal, and Anthony Duclair - a blend of veteran presence, high-end playmaking, and speed on the wing. Barzal continues to be the engine of this team’s offense, and pairing him with Duclair’s quickness and Lee’s net-front grit could be a formula the coaching staff leans on moving forward.
The second unit saw Jonathan Drouin skating alongside JG Pageau and Simon Holmstrom. Drouin’s puck skills and vision could mesh well with Pageau’s two-way reliability and Holmstrom’s growing confidence. That line has the potential to be a sneaky secondary scoring threat.
Further down the lineup, Max Shabanov centered Cal Ritchie and Emil Heineman - a youthful trio that brings energy and upside, while the fourth line featured Kyle MacLean, Casey Cizikas, and Marc Gatcomb, a group built to grind, forecheck, and wear down opponents.
On the blue line, Matthew Schaefer skated with Ryan Pulock, while Adam Pelech was paired with Tony DeAngelo. That second pairing could offer a balance of shutdown defense and puck movement. The third duo had Adam Boqvist alongside Scott Mayfield, giving the Islanders a mix of mobility and physicality across all three pairings.
Rittich Gets the Nod in a Familiar Setting
David Rittich will get the start in net against Calgary, and it’s a bit of a homecoming for the veteran goaltender. He spent five seasons with the Flames, so this return to the Saddledome will likely come with a few extra emotions. But for Rittich, it’s all business - and he’s been solid this season, posting an 11-5-3 record with a 2.39 goals-against average, a .910 save percentage, and two shutouts.
His familiarity with the building and the ice could be a subtle advantage, and with the way the Islanders have been defending lately, he’ll have a strong structure in front of him.
Horvat Remains on Long Island
One notable absence from the road trip: Bo Horvat. The Islanders center is staying back on Long Island as he continues to recover, and he’s considered day-to-day.
While the team would certainly benefit from having him in the lineup, there’s no sense in rushing him back. Horvat has been a key two-way presence this season, and getting him back to full health will be crucial for the stretch run.
The Islanders are managing their roster smartly, leaning on depth and structure as they continue a tough Western road swing. With Rittich in net and the lines starting to gel, they’ll look to keep the momentum rolling in Calgary.