Kyle Palmieri’s Gritty Assist Becomes Instant Classic - But Islanders Lose a Key Leader to Torn ACL
What Kyle Palmieri did Friday night against the Flyers wasn’t just gutsy - it was downright surreal.
Midway through the game, Palmieri went down hard, suffering what we now know is a torn ACL. He crumpled to the ice in obvious pain, and for a moment, it looked like his night - and maybe his season - was over right then and there.
Most players would have stayed down. Trainers would’ve rushed out.
The play would’ve moved on without him.
But Palmieri? He wasn’t done yet.
As he tried to limp toward the bench, the puck swung back into Philadelphia’s zone. And somehow, through what had to be searing pain, Palmieri re-entered the play.
He picked the pocket of Flyers defenseman Emil Andrae, then - with a picture-perfect saucer pass - set up a goal. He didn’t even see it go in.
By the time the puck hit the back of the net, Palmieri was already being helped down the tunnel.
It was one of the most jaw-dropping sequences of the season - a moment that blended sheer willpower with hockey instincts you just can’t teach.
Now, the Islanders will have to move forward without one of their most reliable forwards. Palmieri is expected to miss six to eight months with the torn ACL. That’s a massive blow for a team already dealing with a bruising injury report.
Before the injury, Palmieri had been quietly putting together a strong campaign - 18 points (6 goals, 12 assists) in 25 games. He wasn’t just producing offensively; he was setting the tone on and off the ice. A steady veteran presence, Palmieri was one of the emotional leaders of this Islanders group.
Head coach Patrick Roy didn’t sugarcoat the loss.
“When you know how bad the injury is and after the play he made, it makes you think how courageous it was,” Roy said. “That was unbelievable. We won’t replace him, but I hope that [Maxim Shabanov] will take advantage of the situation.”
Shabanov will likely be the next man up, and while the rookie has shown flashes, stepping into Palmieri’s role is no small ask - especially as the Islanders try to stay afloat in a tight Eastern Conference playoff race.
And the hits keep coming for New York. The team is also without defenseman Alex Romanov, who’s expected to miss five to six months after suffering a shoulder injury on a dangerous hit from behind by Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. Romanov had been anchoring the blue line, and his absence - coupled with Palmieri’s - leaves the Islanders suddenly thin at two key positions.
With depth scoring now a real concern, Roy and his staff will need to get creative. Shabanov will be given a shot, but this is where the rest of the roster has to step up. The Isles are in the thick of the playoff hunt, and there’s no time to feel sorry for themselves.
Still, what Palmieri did - injured, hobbling, and still making a game-changing play - will stick with this team. It’s the kind of moment that defines a season, even if the player behind it won’t be on the ice to see how it ends.