Islanders Pregame: Shabanov Returns, Nelson Reunion Set in Colorado
Max Shabanov returns to the lineup as the Islanders look to extend their perfect road trip in Denver, facing Brock Nelson and the NHL-best Colorado Avalanche. Sorokin starts; full pregame notes inside
With four wins in as many games to open their road trip, the New York Islanders (10-6-2) face the Central Division-best Colorado Avalanche (12-1-5).
Puck drop from Ball Arena is scheduled for 9:00 p.m., and the game can be found on MSGSN.
The Islanders swept their season series with Colorado last year, earning a 6-2 win in their last trip to the Mile High City on Oct. 14. Their last meeting came on Jan. 28 at UBS Arena, with the Islanders earning a 5-2 victory.
New York will also reunite with a familiar face in longtime forward Brock Nelson. In 901 games with the franchise, he recorded 295 goals and 279 assists for 574 points, sitting fifth all-time in goals and eighth in total points. He was dealt to Colorado at the Trade Deadline in March, with New York acquiring a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 third-round pick, and forward Calum Ritchie.
Puck drop from Ball Arena is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET on MSGSN.
The Islanders swept last year’s season series with Colorado, picking up a 6-2 win in Denver on Oct. 14 before securing a 5-2 victory at UBS Arena on Jan. 28.
They’ll also reunite with longtime Islander Brock Nelson, who recorded 295 goals and 279 assists for 574 points across 901 games on Long Island—ranking fifth in franchise history in goals and eighth in points. Nelson was traded to Colorado at the 2025 NHL Trade Deadline for a 2026 first-round pick, a 2028 third-round pick, and forward Calum Ritchie.
MORNING SKATE UPDATES
Ilya Sorokin (6-4-2, 2.59 GAA, .915 SV%) will start in goal for the Islanders. He earned an overtime win Thursday in Vegas, stopping 26 of 29 shots.
Scott Mayfield returns to the lineup after the birth of his first child. Travis Mitchell was returned to AHL Bridgeport on Saturday.
Max Shabanov will also return after suffering an upper-body injury on Oct. 16 vs. Ottawa. He gave it a go against the San Jose Sharks but ultimately couldn’t continue.
Max Tsyplakov will come out of the lineup:
Drouin-Barzal-Holmstrom
Heineman-Horvat-Palmieri
Lee-Pageau-Duclair
Cizikas-Ritchie-Shabanov
Schaefer-Pulock
Pelech-DeAngelo
Romanov-Mayfield
Sorokin
Rittich
ISLANDERS NOTES
Matthew Schaefer scored the overtime winner Friday against Utah, becoming the youngest player in NHL history to end a regular-season game beyond 60 minutes, surpassing Sidney Crosby.
Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal extended their point streaks with assists on Schaefer’s goal.
Horvat is on an eight-game streak (3G, 6A, 9PTS).
Barzal now has a six-game streak (2G, 4A, 6PTS).
Jonathan Drouin has a four-game point streak, totaling 2G and 5A for 7PTS since his three-point performance vs. the Rangers.
Simon Holmstrom carried a four-game point streak vs. Colorado into tonight (4G, 2A, 6PTS), boosted by a three-point performance in their last meeting.
Anders Lee leads all Islanders in career scoring vs. Colorado with 15 points (10G) in 20 games.
Barzal leads with nine assists in 12 games.Ilya Sorokin is 2-2-2 with a 2.93 GAA and .922 SV% in six career games against the Avalanche. He earned a win in their last meeting, stopping 30 of 32 shots.
OPPONENT’S NOTES
The Avalanche defeated the Buffalo Sabres 6-3 in their last game, led by Martin Necas, who posted a four-point performance (2G, 2A). Five different players scored, including Brock Nelson.
Nathan MacKinnon continues his MVP-caliber pace with 33 points (14G, 19A) in 18 games, recording points in all but two contests this season.
He has 14 points (4G, 10A) in his last eight games vs. the Islanders and 26 points (10G, 16A) in 21 career matchups with New York.Artturi Lehkonen enters with a four-game point streak (4G, 2A), while Cale Makar also has a four-game streak with an identical line (4G, 2A).
Scott Wedgewood (10-1-2, 2.26 GAA, .913 SV%) will start for Colorado.
He most recently stopped 38 of 39 against Anaheim.
Against the Islanders, he is 1-2-3 with a 2.60 GAA and .915 SV%, most recently taking an overtime loss on Feb. 26, 2024, while with Dallas.
Wedgewood played great. Head up heading to Dallas ! Wedgewood stole that game.
Boy this team looks galvanized! They are playing winning hockey, not “We hope things go well hockey”! Checking, winning board battles, faceoffs special teams. I honestly think Schaefer & Emil Heineman ignited the entire team. They are not making business decisions anymore they are flying in with reckless abandon trying to WIN and it’s contagious. I Like IT!