IRVINE, Calif. — As the Islanders prepare to embark on a four-game road trip, uncertainty looms over their lineup with the statuses of Jonathan Drouin and Ryan Pulock still in question. Drouin, who missed Sunday’s win over the Panthers due to a lower-body injury, returned to practice on Tuesday and seemed optimistic about playing against the Ducks on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Pulock, who briefly left the recent game with a shoulder concern, did not participate in practice, labeled a maintenance day by coach Patrick Roy, who remains unsure of his availability for the upcoming matchup.
Roy emphasized the importance of depth in the team as they navigate through the long season. “It’s a long year, we’re gonna need everybody… the beauty of our team right now is everybody’s playing well,” he stated, expressing confidence in the group’s performance. Scott Mayfield took Pulock’s place alongside Matthew Schaefer during practice, while Adam Boqvist operated on the third pair.
Drouin was a full participant in practice but took part in some extras alongside Anthony Duclair, who lined up with the second unit. Drouin, who has not found the net since mid-November, indicated he felt good during practice and is hopeful for a return. “Hopefully I feel good tomorrow. Felt pretty good today,” he noted, downplaying the impact of sitting out and watching from the press box.
While Duclair and his linemates struggled in their last game, producing the least favorable metrics, Roy was encouraged by Duclair’s performance, praising his effort and competitiveness.
In goal, David Rittich is set to start against the Ducks, with Ilya Sorokin slated for the subsequent game in Los Angeles.
Looking ahead, the Islanders will face a challenge as the Ducks come into Wednesday’s contest on a five-game winning streak. Notably, Anaheim triumphed over the Islanders in both encounters last season, setting the stage for a competitive rematch. With the potential return of Drouin and the team’s depth, the Islanders are eager to start their road trip on a positive note.