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NY Islanders look to keep rolling against Ducks despite growing injury concerns

The Islanders return to UBS Arena riding a three-game point streak, but Pete DeBoer will have to navigate a lineup suddenly missing several key contributors
ByJiggs Westfall
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Dec 11, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) plays the puck against Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Dec 11, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock (6) plays the puck against Anaheim Ducks right wing Frank Vatrano (77) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders return to UBS Arena on Tuesday night looking to continue their recent momentum when they host the Anaheim Ducks at 7 p.m.

The Islanders (2-0-1 in their last three games) have earned points in four of their previous five contests, including an impressive 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday. Simon Holmstrom scored twice in that win, while Bo Horvat added a goal and an assist.

But the victories haven't come without a cost.

The Islanders will be without Matias Maccelli and Calum Ritchie, who suffered lower-body injuries against Toronto. Maccelli is expected to miss two to four weeks, while Ritchie faces a four-to-six-week absence.

Those injuries have forced head coach Pete DeBoer to shuffle his lineup, with Mitchell Chaffee and Kyle MacLean expected to make their season debuts alongside Casey Cizikas on the fourth line.

Fortunately, the Islanders have found an identity that doesn't necessarily require an offensive explosion every night.

New York has allowed just 17 goals through eight games, the fewest in the Eastern Conference and second-fewest in the NHL. Their 2.13 goals-against average ranks third leaguewide, while Ilya Sorokin and Semyon Varlamov have combined for an impressive .919 save percentage.

Sorokin is expected to get the start Tuesday.

Anaheim arrives on the second night of a back-to-back after falling 5-2 to the Rangers on Monday. The Ducks have lost three straight following a 4-1-0 start, although Leo Carlsson, Beckett Sennecke and Cutter Gauthier provide plenty of offensive danger.

For the Islanders, the challenge is straightforward: Keep defending, capitalize on opportunities and don't allow the mounting injuries to derail a promising start.

With the Los Angeles Kings visiting Thursday, this is an opportunity to build momentum before the schedule gets tougher.

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