Max Shabanov is sidelined for the Islanders’ upcoming game against the Red Wings due to an upper-body injury. Head Coach Patrick Roy indicated that Shabanov is considered day-to-day. He missed the second half of the third period during a recent game, although he did register an assist earlier in the match.
In Shabanov’s absence, Simon Holmstrom is expected to fill his spot in the lineup. Additionally, Kyle MacLean is anticipated to make his debut with the Islanders.
Islanders Projected Lineup Against the Red Wings
- Jonathan Drouin – Bo Horvat – Emil Heineman
- Anthony Duclair – Mathew Barzal – Kyle Palmieri
- Anders Lee – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Simon Holmstrom
- Kyle MacLean – Casey Cizikas – Max Tsyplakov
- Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock
- Adam Boqvist – Tony DeAngelo
- Matthew Schaefer – Scott Mayfield
- Goalie: David Rittich / Ilya Sorokin
Rittich to Start in Goal
David Rittich will get another chance to shine as he starts his second game with the Islanders. He performed impressively in his debut against Edmonton, making 33 saves and leading the team to a 4-2 victory. Rittich has a solid record against Detroit, being 4-0-1 with a .926 save percentage and a 1.68 goals-against average.
Injury Report: Alexander Romanov
Defensive player Alexander Romanov has also been ruled out for the match against Detroit. He is dealing with an upper-body injury and is retroactively placed on injured reserve since October 16. Romanov has not participated in practice lately and will likely miss a subsequent game against Philadelphia.
Schaefer Poised for Historic Achievement
Matthew Schaefer stands on the brink of making NHL history. If he gains an assist in the upcoming game, he will set a record for the longest point streak by a defenseman at the start of a career. He has already made headlines as the youngest defenseman to record points in each of his first six games.
Season Series Recap
Last season, the Islanders faced the Red Wings three times and unfortunately struggled, finishing with an 0-3-0 record. The teams have not met since November 25, 2024, making this matchup particularly anticipated by fans.
