Islanders Game 79: Final Four, Pride, No Changes; Lines & How to Watch

The New York Islanders’ season is winding to a close. There are just six days left in the regular season (including today) and the Islanders will play four more times. This afternoon they take on the Philadelphia Flyers inside the Wells Fargo Center with a matinee puck drop scheduled for just after 12:30.

Most recently, the Islanders were humiliated by their rivals, the New York Rangers, 9-2 inside UBS Arena. That loss showed this team at its worst, with horrid defending and turnovers being the game’s story. That game itself directly followed up on an embarrassing collapse and loss 7-6 to the Nashville Predators in overtime.

With nine NHL defensemen on the roster, one could assume after 16 goals over the last six periods and overtime, we could be in for a change or two. Mike Reilly and Adam Boqvist both played well when given chances. Instead, Patrick Roy told the media he’s making zero changes.

It’s a bit of a white flag. Since a bad call against the Blue Jackets, they’ve gone 2-5-2. In black and white, it’s not good enough. In those games, there have been slow starts followed by close comebacks that fell short. Down both Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson, it’s been a difficult stretch run for the team. Still, the results are results.

Despite Roy’s tinkering then, now he’s letting the veterans enjoy their last few games together.

Roughly 37 hours after Kyle Palmieri stood at his locker in UBS Arena and publicly said his team played with no pride, the coach opted to make no changes. There’s not much more anyone can do to save this season.

Change?

Team President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello promised summer change at the trade deadline.

Guys like Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, and Anders Lee are all prime candidates to be moved. The Islanders may buy out Pierre Engvall. Hudson Fasching, Mike Reilly, and Tony DeAngelo are all free agents. Matt Martin, also a  pending UFA, seems likely to retire. The RFAs include Simon Holmstrom, Maxim Tsyplakov, Noah Dobson, and Alexander Romanov.

Change is coming. Just not today. My advice for you all, fans of the Islanders? Enjoy these last four games. They’re the last games of the 2024-25 season and the last time you could watch up to half the roster in blue and orange.

Islanders Lines:

Anders Lee – Bo Horvat – Kyle Palmieri

Maxim Tsyplakov – Jean-Gabriel Pageau – Simon Holmstrom

Pierre Engvall – Casey Cizikas – Hudson Fasching

Matt Martin – Kyle MacLean – Marc Gatcomb

Defense & Goalie

Alexander Romanov – Tony DeAngelo

Adam Pelech – Ryan Pulock

Noah Dobson – Scott Mayfield

Marcus Hogberg

Flyers Projected Lines:

Tyson Foerster – Noah Cates – Bobby Brink

Matvei Michkov – Sean Couturier – Travis Konecny

Owen Tippett – Ryan Poehling – Jakob Pelletier

Nicolas Deslauriers – Karsen Dorwart – Garnet Hathaway

Defense & Goalie

Nick Seeler – Travis Sanheim

Cam York – Jamie Drysdale

Egor Zamula – Emil Andrae

Sam Ersson

How to Watch:

TV: MSGSN, ESPN+ Out of Market

Radio: 88.7 (FM) WRHU