Islanders Gm 44: Romanov Faces Canadiens For 1st Time, Bossy Night

On Saturday night, the New York Islanders (22-18-3), riding a four-game losing streak, host the Montreal Canadiens (17-22-3). Puck drop is slated for 7 PM ET at UBS Arena. It’s Mike Bossy Night, part of the Islanders’ 50th Anniversary celebration.

The Islanders are currently on a four-game losing streak while the Canadiens have lost eight of their last 10 games.

“I mean, they got some skill up front,” Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield said. “Especially the first line, they move the puck well. They’re smaller guys, faster guys, skilled guys. So it’s going to be a challenge for us back there, and we’re excited for it. We got to right the ship here.”

MORNING SKATE UPDATES

Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov were on the ice, with Sorokin heading off first as he will make his 30th start.

He is 14-14-2, with a 2.29 GAA, a .926 SV%, with three shutouts.

Kyle Palmieri (IR), Adam Pelech (IR), and Ross Johnston were on the ice before the skate and stayed on after, as they will serve as extras against the Canadiens.

Palmieri will miss his 13th straight game and 24 of the last 25 with an upper-body injury.

ROMANOV ON FACING HABS

In 2018, the Montreal Canadiens selected defenseman Alexander Romanov as the 38th pick in the draft.

For the first time in his NHL career, Alexander Romanov will face his former team, the Montreal Canadiens. Acquired on draft night this past summer, Romanov’s career with Montreal lasted two seasons, 133 games. Over his time in Quebec, Romanov scored four goals with 15 assists.

His career in Montreal ended this past summer when he was traded to the New York Islanders for the 12th overall pick. In his first season with New York, he has one goal and 13 assists, with 14 points–a new career high.

On Saturday, the Islanders face his former team, but Romanov was cool, calm, and collected following morning skate.

“I play just for Isles, for my team, and for my partners right now. I don’t think it’s something special for me,” Romanov said. “We just want to win every single game, every single moment, and just try to play our best today.”

Head coach Lane Lambert weighed in: “We love the way he practices, the way he plays in games, and so it’ll be a big night for him. You’re always excited to play against the team that you were on formerly.”

LAMBERT ON BOSSY

Saturday night is Mike Bossy Night at UBS Arena as part of the 50th anniversary season. Bossy passed away back on Apr. 15 at the age of 65 after a battle with lung cancer.

New York Islanders, Fans Honor the Legacy of Mike Bossy

Islanders head coach Lane Lambert got to play against Bossy and shared what made him special:

“Well, obviously, a great scorer. And I did play against him. You just couldn’t give him any time to take a shot. I was out on the ice against him a couple of times when he did score [..] The high-end guys that score goals like him, you can only keep them under control for so long, it’s going to happen one way or the other. And that’s the aura of what makes a guy special like that.”

NEW YORK ISLANDERS LINES (PROJECTED)

Zach Parise-Mathew Barzal-Josh Bailey
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Holmstrom
Beauvillier-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Hudson Fasching
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Parker Wotherspoon-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Noah Dobson
Sebastian Aho-Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

Montreal Canadiens Lines (PROJECTED)