The New York Islanders are gearing up to hit the ice again after what feels like an eternity away, as they prepare to face off against the Montreal Canadiens following the Olympic break. With most of the roster in good health, save for Alexander Romanov and Kyle Palmieri, head coach Patrick Roy has some lineup decisions to make.
So, who will be in and who will be out when the Islanders return to action next week?
Based on recent practice sessions, it looks like Maxim Shabanov and Anthony Duclair might be the ones sitting out. Even though they skated alongside Barzal on the top line during practice, those spots seem destined for Bo Horvat and Ondrej Palat.
Here's a look at the practice lines from Thursday (not including Horvat and Palat):
- Duclair-Barzal-Shabanov
- Drouin-Ritchie-Heineman
- Lee-Pageau-Holmstrom
- MacLean-Cizikas-Gatcomb
Defensive pairings included:
- Schaefer-Pulock
- Pelech-DeAngelo
- Soucy-Mayfield
With Sorokin and Rittich in goal, the Islanders are aiming to come out strong.
Shabanov, in his debut season in North America, is still adjusting to the NHL's physical demands. He's shown resilience, bouncing back from some heavy hits, but his 16 points (4 goals, 12 assists) over 40 games haven't secured him a spot in the top-six. His style doesn't quite fit a bottom-six role, leaving him in a bit of a limbo.
Duclair, on the other hand, has shown flashes of brilliance this season. After a slow start, he became the Islanders' hottest player post-New Year. However, that spark has dimmed, leaving him fighting to regain his form.
While it seems like Shabanov and Duclair might be on the sidelines initially, their chance to shine will come again. Roy appears to have his lineup ready for the Canadiens, marking the first meeting since the big Noah Dobson trade before the draft. The Islanders are ready to make a statement as they dive back into the season.