The Islanders left Tuesday night’s loss to the Rangers with more than just another defeat. They also came away with two injured regulars, and the status of one of them looks far more uncertain than the other.
Simon Holmstrom was forced out in the first period after Sean Durzi’s attempt to clear the zone struck him in the face. He stayed off the ice through the opening part of the second period, then rejoined the bench later in that frame. Pete DeBoer told reporters, including Andrew Gross of Newsday, that Holmstrom may have broken his nose, but should be able to play through it.
Alexander Romanov’s exit came later and carried more concern. He left in the third period after getting tied up with a Rangers forward behind the net with about 12 minutes remaining.
Romanov had trouble putting weight on his right leg, though he was able to reach the bench without assistance. DeBoer did not have an update on him after the game.
For Holmstrom, the expectation is that he stays in his third-line role when the Islanders meet the Blackhawks on Thursday. He has opened 2026-27 with a solid start, helped by two points in last week’s win over the Devils.
Last season, he posted 19 goals and 41 points in 79 games, just shy of the 20-goal, 45-point highs he set in 2024-25. He has become dependable depth for New York, and the Islanders will be hoping that a broken nose does not interrupt that momentum.
Romanov’s situation could have a bigger impact on the blue line. He had been filling a top-four spot next to Ryan Pulock, behind Adam Pelech and Matthew Schaefer. Through the first few games, DeBoer has shuffled his defense group often, with only Pelech and Schaefer averaging more than 20 minutes per night.
That setup could push more attention toward the pairing of Logan Stanley and Tony DeAngelo, while Scott Mayfield looks like the likeliest option to step in if Romanov can’t go. Mayfield has not played yet this season, but he appeared in 80 games last year and finished with 15 points, a minus-11, and 75 hits. He remains the extra defender for now, but a strong showing in Romanov’s place could put him squarely on DeBoer’s radar.
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Islanders Blue Line Just Got A Prospect Fans Will Want To Track
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Draveckys appeal goes beyond the usual long-view scouting report. He recently got into his first preseason NHL action, a useful checkpoint for a young defenseman trying to show he can keep pace, and former coach Jay McKee has pointed to his offensive instincts and intensity as part of what makes him interesting. The Islanders do not need to rush him, but they now have a better sense of the kind of player they may be able to bring along on the back end. [Read more 🡒]