Islanders injury news: Pageau to return to lineup against Golden Knights
The New York Islanders will get some reinforcements on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights, as center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is expected to return to the lineup, according to Pageau himself.
Pageau is in, per Pageau. Excited to be back. #Isles
Pageau had missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury. The cause of the injury remains a mystery, and he had been considered week-to-week initially, but thankfully for the Islanders, his absence only ended up being a bit over two weeks. New York went 4-3-1 in his absence.
Pageau returns to the lineup skating on the second line on the right wing of Anders Lee and Mathew Barzal, based on line rushes at morning skate. While Lee is a normal linemate of Pageau’s on what’s usually the Islanders’ third line, other injuries in the lineup have forced Lee and Pageau to move up to the second line with Barzal. This trio has only played 2:36 of ice time together and have been held scoreless with a 44.55% 5v5 expected goal share in that time. Pageau will also play on the second power play and penalty kill units.
Pageau had a good start to the season before his injury, as he had six goals and six assists for 12 points in 22 games. That has him on pace for 40 points, which is around his usual production rate throughout his career despite the missed games.
Pageau is currently in the final year of a six-year contract with a $5 million cap hit, and will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. According to AFP Analytics, his next contract is projected to be three years at around a $4.2 million cap hit. Should the Islanders fall out of the playoff picture at some point this season, Pageau will likely get a good return as a middle-six two-way playmaking center in a weak market.
With Pageau returning, it appears that Maxim Tsyplakov will draw out in his place. Tsyplakov has just one goal in 20 games this season.
The Islanders currently sit in third in the Metropolitan Division with a 16-11-3 record. They’ll hope Pageau’s return helps them bounce back from Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Florida Panthers when they host the Golden Knights on Tuesday at 7 p.m. EST.