Mikko Rantanen won't play against the NY Islanders in the first matchup since injuring Alexander Romanov

In the first year of his eight-year extension signed this summer, Alexander Romanov came out of the gates slowly, as did the NY Islanders. But as the season started to take a turn for the better in the midst of a road trip, Romanov’s season came to an end.

Back on November 18, as the Islanders were clenching onto a 3-2 lead late in the third period against the Dallas Stars, Romanov took a cross-check to the back from Mikko Rantanen, sending him crashing into the boards. With a 5-6 month timeline to return with a shoulder injury, Romanov has yet to suit up for another game.

Rantanen won't face the Islanders

After playing for his native Finland at the Olympics, Rantanen was injured shortly after returning from the break, missing the last month of action. But according to Stars’ GM Jim Nill, Rantanen is set to return to the lineup during the Stars’ upcoming four-game road trip, which starts with the Islanders on Thursday. 

“The plan is, hopefully, to get him in maybe one of those games towards the end of the trip,” Nill said.

After what ensued during the two teams' first meeting, perhaps this is a calculated return date for the Stars, avoiding Rantanen returning against the Isles.

After Romanov’s injury, Patrick Roy was incensed on the Isles’ bench and could be heard screaming at Rantanen, “You’re not going to finish that game,” referring to the return matchup on Long Island.

The Stars have clinched a spot in the 2026 postseason, while the Islanders are still battling for their playoff lives. While perhaps waiting an extra day or so to avoid the Islanders for Rantanen to return doesn’t hurt Dallas, it does help the Islanders, who will face one of the league's top teams without one of their top players. We may not see the fireworks on the ice, but the hype within the building will still be worth the wait if the Isles can pull out a win.