Islanders Seek Fourth Straight Win against Red Wings

ELMONT, N.Y. — The New York Islanders aim for their fourth consecutive victory as they host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night at UBS Arena. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET, broadcasted on MSGSN.

The Islanders (3-3-0), coming off a thrilling 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Tuesday, are looking to build momentum. Jonathan Drouin led the team with a goal and an assist, while Ilya Sorokin made 33 saves. This win marked their third in a row, showcasing an improved performance.

The Red Wings (5-2-0), on the other hand, saw their five-game winning streak halted with a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday. Despite the setback, Captain Dylan Larkin leads the team with 12 points this season, scoring five goals and assisting on seven.

Islanders’ forward Sergey Shabanov is ruled out for the matchup due to an upper-body injury and is considered day-to-day. Head Coach Patrick Roy noted that Shabanov had a maintenance day on Wednesday and will be replaced in the lineup. Matthew Schaefer is projected to assume his spot on the ice.

In net for the Islanders, David Rittich will make his second start, having previously achieved a strong showing against Edmonton. Rittich holds a career record of 4-0-1 against Detroit with impressive statistics, including a .926 save percentage and a 1.68 goals-against average.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings are also adjusting their lineup, with Patrick Kane unable to play due to an undisclosed injury. His absence adds to the pressure for Detroit to regroup and find their offensive rhythm.

Player performance highlights include rookie Emmitt Finnie, who has scored six points in his first seven games, and has been making key contributions for the Red Wings.

This matchup comes after the teams last met on November 25, 2024, where the Islanders struggled against the Red Wings, finishing 0-3-0 in the previous season’s series. With the Islanders trending upward and the Red Wings looking to bounce back, this game promises to be a thrilling contest.