New York Islanders
Islanders Practice: Pageau NOT on Ice, New Line Combos
LOS ANGELES — The New York Islanders hit the practice ice on Monday as they gear up for their Tuesday night game against the Los Angeles Kings. Everyone was on the ice except for Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who is still on Injured Reserve with an upper-body injury.
Pageau seemed to be making strides as he had participated in the Islanders last three skates, two practices, and a game. He has missed the previous 12 games, and the Islanders certainly can use his versatility with 14 games remaining on the schedule.
The Islanders shared that Pageau missed the skate due to a personal matter and that he will be joining the team Monday night.
“He’s been skating a lot,” Lambert said. “So pretty comfortable with the fact that he could come in and skate and play without skating. So it’s not a big deal.”
The Islanders showed off some new line combinations in California as they try to find some balance with Cal Clutterbuck back in the mix.
Lambert reunited the identity line:
Anders Lee-Bo Horvat-Josh Bailey
Zach Parise-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck
Simon Holmstrom/Ross Johnston-Pierre Engvall-Hudson Fasching
Adam Pelech-Scott Mayfield
Alexander Romanov-Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
NYI Hockey Now asked Lambert about his decision to break up Cizikas and Fasching, who have played quite well as of late.
“They played well together […] today was today and tomorrow’s tomorrow. So we’ll see what happens with the line combinations,” Lambert said.