ISLANDERS NOTES
– Adam Pelech joined the team for practice on Monday after missing Saturday’s matchup against the Hurricanes. He left Thursday’s win over Washington in the first period with an upper-body injury and missed Saturday’s OT loss.
– Bo Horvat did not skate on Monday. Head Coach Lane Lambert said the forward is considered day to day and a decision will be made on Tuesday on his status for the matchup against Minnesota. Horvat took a blocked shot in the third period in Saturday’s 4-3 OT loss to Carolina, briefly exiting the game but making a return to action. Mathew Barzal shifted to center between Anders Lee and Oliver Wahlstrom with Horvat absent on Monday.
– Scott Mayfield missed practice due to maintenance, per Lambert.
– The Islanders have held opponents to three goals through their past 10 first periods, which ranks first in the NHL.
“We’ve done a really good job of coming out,” Martin said. “Last year that was not one of our strengths, we didn’t start games on time. We’ve been better in the first period, but it takes a full 60 minutes. We want to continue having strong starts, but we want to be better down the stretch.”
– The Islanders have a healthy record 5-2-3 in their first 10 games of the season, though they have blown four multi-goal leads on home ice over that span.
“I think we’ve given up leads too often to start the year,” Martin said. “We need to play smart and simple and protect that [lead] to some degree, not sitting back. We believe we could be in a lot better of a spot, because we gave a few of those games away.”
– Dobson is playing at a point-per-game, recording a team-leading 10 points (3G, 7A) through 10 games.
– Simon Holmstrom is on a two-game goal streak for the first time in his career. The young winger skated on a line with JG Pageau and Hudson Fasching on Saturday when he buried his first career shorthanded goal.
“He’s always been a big part of this team,” Pageau said. “When he’s playing with confidence like that, he can make a difference out there. I’m lucky to be center with him. He has a good stick and he’s a good finisher.”
– Romanov skated 25:23 on Saturday, marking his highest TOI as an Islander.
– Kyle Palmieri recorded 13 points (5G, 8A) points against Minnesota through 20 career games against the Wild.
