Islanders Pregame: Rittich Starts, Holmstrom A Game-Time Decision vs. Red-Hot Stars
The Islanders play the sixth game of their seven-game road trip tonight in Dallas, looking to get back in the win column after a 4-1 loss to Colorado.
With their four-game winning streak snapped, the New York Islanders (10-7-2) continue the eastbound leg of their seven-game road trip against the Dallas Stars (12-4-3) in the Lone Star State.
Puck drop from American Airlines Center is scheduled for 8:00 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN2.
The Stars swept the season series from the Islanders last season. New York’s last visit to Dallas ended in a 3-0 shutout loss on Oct. 12, 2024, with a tight 4-3 shootout loss following on Feb. 23 at UBS Arena. Jason Robertson scored a hat trick in the win for the Stars.
Morning Skate Updates
David Rittich (4-2-0, 3.15 GAA, .893 SV%) will start for the Islanders. He earned the win in his last outing on Friday against the Utah Mammoth, stopping 27 of 29 shots in the overtime victory.
Simon Holmstrom (sick) is a game-time decision. Maxim Tsyplakov wil return to the lineup if he can’t go.
If Holmstrom can’t go, Maxim Shabanov will play with Mathew Barzal and Jonathan Drouin
Lines:
Heineman-Horvat-Palmieri
Drouin-Barzal-Shabanov
Lee-Pageau-Duclair
Cizikas-Ritchie-Tsyplakov
Schaefer-Pulock
Pelech-DeAngelo
Romanov-Mayfield
Rittich
Sorokin
Islanders Notes
Emil Heineman has goals in three straight games, marking the longest scoring streak of his NHL career.
David Rittich is 4-3-1 with a 2.60 GAA and .908 SV% in eight career matchups against the Stars. His most recent meeting came on Feb. 7 with the LA Kings, where he made 26 saves on 30 shots in a win.
Anthony Duclair and Bo Horvat are tied for the team lead in career goals against Dallas with eight apiece.
Duclair also leads the team in assists (12) and points (20) against the Stars in 25 career games.
Stars Notes
Dallas enters Tuesday’s contest on a five-game winning streak, most recently beating the Philadelphia Flyers 5-1 on Saturday.
After Lian Bischel opened the scoring, Jason Robertson recorded a natural hat trick, the sixth of his career.
Jamie Benn will make his season debut after undergoing preseason surgery for a collapsed lung.
Robertson’s three-goal night extended his run of strong play — he has goals in three straight games and 10 points (6G, 4A) in his last four.
Roope Hintz has an eight-point, six-game point streak since returning from injury, including three assists Saturday.
Tuesday marks the Islanders’ first look at Mikko Rantanen as a member of the Stars. He has 26 points in 19 games (9G, 17A).
Tyler Seguin leads all Stars skaters in career scoring against the Islanders with 26 points in 27 games (10G, 16A).
Jake Oettinger (8-3-2, 2.75 GAA, .900 SV%) will start for Dallas.
Against the Islanders, he is 5-1-0 with a 1.82 GAA and .936 SV%, including 34 saves on 37 shots in their last meeting.
Mikko should catch a beating at UBS. Hope Romanov is okay poor dude is struggling as it is. Looked like he was concussed. Mikko did something that was dirty as it comes. Love Patty and this team is playing with his pride and determination.
This is NO JOKE ANYMORE! Use the extra #1 to Solve the RHD situation. Tony D is fine at 7. George down in Bridgeport learning to play Right Side.