JG Pageau set to return for NY Islanders against Vegas Golden Knights at UBS Arena

Jean-Gabriel Pageau will return to the New York Islanders lineup on Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, ending a seven-game absence and giving the team a major boost down the middle. After skating as a full participant in recent practices, Pageau said he is “extremely excited” to rejoin a group that has been grinding through one of its toughest stretches of the season.

“It’s never fun to be on the sideline and watching your teammates battling,” Pageau said after morning skate. “They’ve been playing some super good hockey and I feel extremely excited to join the group and go back to battle with them.”

Pageau will slot onto a line with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, a trio that blends skill, size, and two natural centermen — something Pageau believes will be a tactical advantage. “It’s always fun when you have two centermen. You can share some work in the defensive zone and cheat a little more on faceoffs,” he said. “Barzy controls the puck so well, and with Anders winning battles on the wall and around the net, it’s a great opportunity.”

Watching from the press box, Pageau said he gained a different appreciation for the team’s recent form. The Islanders played eight games in 13 days, including matchups against Tampa Bay and Colorado, yet Pageau saw a group that stuck together. “The compete level, the battle level, the sacrifice — I thought the team played as a unit of one,” he said. “When you’re out, you want the boys to win and keep climbing the standings.”

The Islanders have already faced Vegas once this season, falling 5–2 on Oct. 28. Pageau knows what awaits. “They’re extremely talented. They work hard and have a good system,” he said. “We’ll need to be at the top of our game and play a full 60.” With Pageau back, the Islanders get one of their most versatile and trusted players for a crucial home test — and his timing couldn’t be better.