NY Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov likely back in lineup versus Seattle

New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov was back on the ice at practice on Monday after sitting out Saturday’s 5-2 loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday afternoon. Romanov’s lower-body injury left Noah Dobson as the only defenseman to play every game for the Isles this season.

According to head coach Patrick Roy, the 24-year-old’s status for tonight’s game against the Seattle Kraken is still to be determined. “I thought he had a good practice," Roy said on Monday. "He's looked good from what I've seen. We'll see [about tomorrow]; he's still day-to-day.”

Per reports coming from Tuesday's morning skate, Sebastian Aho, Samuel Bolduc, and Robert Bortuzzo were all out early shooting on Semyon Varlamov, a strong indication that Romanov will be back in the lineup. On the season, Romanov, in his second year on Long Island, has 13 points, including a career-high five goals, 109 blocked shots, and 79 hits.

Hudson Fasching was skating on his own, not ready to return since sustaining an injury before the All-Star break in Montreal.

That would allow Roy to roll out the same defensive pairs that the team had coming out of the All-Star break when the defense was as healthy as it has been since the start of the season. Specifically, the return of Ryan Pulock to the lineup has allowed him to be reunited with Adam Pelech and helped spread minutes around across all three pairings.

Tonight's game against Seattle is of utmost importance after Saturday's home loss, with the teams above and around the Isles gaining ground or extending their lead in the standings.

The Philadelphia Flyers have come out of the break hot, winning four straight, and have opened up an eight-point advantage, though the Isles have two games in hand. The New Jersey Devils are now tied with the Isles for 4th in the Metro after their 3-1 win over the Kraken in Neward last night. The Devils have played one less game than the Islanders.