The New York Islanders took to the ice on Friday for their fourth straight practice session, and it was a lively one with Season Ticket Members in attendance at Northwell Health Ice Center. The fans got a close-up view of the team as they worked through their drills and line combinations.
Practice Lines
With Ondrej Palat busy representing Czechia in the Winter Olympics and Bo Horvat facing off against Finland for Team Canada, the Islanders had to adjust their lines. Here's how they shaped up:
- Anthony Duclair - Mathew Barzal - Max Shabanov
- Jonathan Drouin - Cal Ritchie - Emil Heineman
- Anders Lee - JG Pageau - Simon Holmstrom
- Kyle MacLean - Casey Cizikas - Marc Gatcomb
On defense, the pairings were:
- Matthew Schaefer - Ryan Pulock
- Adam Pelech - Tony DeAngelo
- Carson Soucy - Scott Mayfield
Adam Boqvist was also present, while Ilya Sorokin and David Rittich handled the goaltending duties.
Romanov's Road to Recovery
Alexander Romanov was a notable presence on the ice before practice officially began. The defenseman, who has been sidelined since November due to a shoulder injury sustained against the Dallas Stars, was seen taking shots on goalies. Although he didn't participate in full team activities, his presence was a positive sign.
Head Coach Patrick Roy shared insights into Romanov's progress: "You can see it in his face, he's excited about practicing on his own and taking some shots. It's been a while, so he wants to take some shots.
It's a long injury, he's going to have to be patient. We have a really good staff, so I'm sure they're going to take care of him."
Romanov's return to the ice, even in a limited capacity, is a hopeful step forward for both him and the team. With a skilled medical staff supporting his recovery, the Islanders are optimistic about his eventual return to full strength.