Game Preview: Detroit Red Wings visit New York Islanders

The New York Islanders will host the Detroit Red Wings for the first time this season at UBS Arena. The Red Wings come to The Island with a 2-3 record. Meanwhile, the Isles are 2-1-2, and showing signs of rallying around Patrick Roy’s old-school system.

The game should prove to be entertaining as both clubs have plenty of firepower. However, a low-scoring affair could be in order given the two teams’ solid defensive structures.

Fans can catch the game on FDSNDET, and MSGSN2.

LAST GAME

The New York Islanders are coming off a marathon shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens. The 4-3 win was the second for the Isles and the third game this season that has gone into overtime. Semyon Varlamov played a solid game. However, the win was costly as Anthony Duclair sustained an injury that is believed to be long-term. Still, the Isles played a good game and can hopefully ride that momentum against the Detroit Red Wings.

As for Detroit, they won their last game against the Nashville Predators 5-2 on Saturday evening. The Wings played good all-around game, keeping the Preds at bay. However, the Wings have been largely inconsistent this season, unable to truly string a series of solid games together.

HISTORICAL MATCHUP

Tuesday night’s game marks the first of three meetings for these Eastern Conference rivals. Last season, the Isles took two of three meetings from the Wings. The Islanders won the first matchup on October 30, 4-3, then dropped a 5-3 decision on February 29, 2024, and then won the last meeting 6-3 on March 21.

It’s worth pointing out that last season, these two teams met twice in Detroit and once in New York. The Islanders won their lone game at home against the Wings, splitting the other two in Motown.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

The most important player for the Isles is one who will not be on the ice. Anthony Duclair will miss an unknown number of games, making his likely replacement, Simon Holmstrom, the most-watched player for the Isles. Holmstrom spent some time with Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal during the preseason. Holmstrom also spent some considerable time on the second unit with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.

Hudson Fasching will likely draw into the fourth line with Kyle MacLean and Oliver Wahlstrom. Also, Casey Cizikas is likely to move up to the third line with Anders Lee and JG Pageau. However, Matt Martin, who is still on a PTO, practiced with MacLean and Wahlstrom on Monday morning.

Here’s a look at the lines at practice:

It remains to be seen if Martin will draw into the lineup. A roster move should be expected at some point on Tuesday morning. Additionally, Ilya Sorokin should get the call in the crease.

As for the Detroit Red Wings, the player to watch is captain Dylan Larkin. Larkin leads a talented group of young players including winger Lucas Raymon and top defenseman Mortiz Seider. However, the biggest question will be in goal as the Wings have lacked a steady netminder this season.