Islanders-Kings Preview: Brayden Schenn To Make Home Debut; Max Shabanov Interview
Here's the latest ahead of Islanders vs. Kings
ELMONT, NY — The New York Islanders (357-23-5) host the Los Angeles Kings (26-23-15) tonight at 7 PM. Brayden Schenn, whom the Islanders acquired ahead of the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, will make his home debut, skating alongside Mathew Barzal and Ondrej Palat.
“It’s always hard playing on Long Island. The team plays the right way, the fan base is always behind them, and it’s loud in there,’ Schenn said. “I’m looking forward to being a home guy now and being part of that fan base.”
Both teams are on the first leg of back-to-backs, with the Islanders hosting the Calgary Flames on Saturday night, while the Kings head to New Jersey to battle the Devils.
Ilya Sorokin (24-14-2, 2.51 GAAA, .913 SV%, 6 SO) will get the start after he turned aside 20 of 23 in their 4-3 comeback win against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
Darcy Kuemper (15-13-10. 2.70 GAA, .897 SV%, 2 SO) is the projected starter for Los Angeles.
Maxim Shabanov will play in his second straight game on the fourth line.
Here’s the lineup:
Emil Heineman— Bo Horvat — Cal Ritchie
Ondrej Palat — Brayden Schenn — Mathew Barzal
Anders Lee — Jean-Gabriel Pageau — Simon Holmstrom
Maxim Shabanov — Casey Cizikas — Marc Gatcomb
Matthew Schaefer — Ryan Pulock
Adam Pelech — Tony DeAngelo
Carson Soucy — Scott Mayfield
Ilya Sorokin
David Rittich
MAX SHABANOV INTERVIEW (via translator):
Q: How has it been getting back in the lineup the other night and again tonight?
Maxim Shabanov: “It felt a little unusual because I hadn’t played for a number of games, but I kept practicing and staying in shape. I just tried to do what was best for the team.”
Q: You stay on the ice after practice, working with assistant coach Benoit Desrosiers. How beneficial has that been in staying ready?
Shabanov: “The practices have been really good, both technically and physically. It helps me stay in shape and work on little details along the boards and other areas that you sometimes don’t have as much time to focus on during regular team practices.”
Q: What have the coaches told you is important to work on so that you can stay in the lineup?
Shabanov: “Just keep working, stay positive, and try to bring out the best of what I can do on the ice. Also, be patient and keep doing my job.”
Q: Your name was in the news around the trade deadline. What did you think about the rumors, and were you happy to stay here?
Shabanov: “I tried to stay away from reading anything, and I just stayed focused on practicing so I’d be ready whenever I got back into the lineup and could help the team. There’s nothing I [can do to] control the rumors, so I just focus on what I can control.”
Q: What’s been the biggest thing you’ve learned during your first NHL season?
Shabanov: “Everything is different compared to the KHL — technically, tactically, and the overall style of the game. Pretty much everything has been an adjustment for me.”
