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The New York Islanders are navigating a challenging stretch with three key forwards unavailable due to injuries. Mathew Barzal, widely regarded as the team's most skilled forward, has yet to play this season as he rehabilitates a knee injury. He did not participate in training camp and continues to skate only in individual sessions.
During the Islanders' 4-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team lost two more forwards: center Calum Ritchie and winger Matias Maccelli. Both sustained lower-body injuries and are expected to miss multiple weeks.
With three top-six forwards out of the lineup, other players must elevate their contributions. One player head coach Peter DeBoer is counting on is Ondrej Palat, whom he highlighted after the win over Toronto.
"Right from training camp, he's been engaged. He wants more. It's on me to give him a little bit more. He's been that good," DeBoer said of his veteran forward, via Andrew Gross of Newsday on X.
The injuries have created opportunities for several players to step up. Palat, who has primarily played a bottom-six role for most of the 2026-27 season, saw increased responsibility in the first game without Ritchie and Maccelli, a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, and he delivered.
Palat opened the scoring for New York at 13:39 of the first period, netting his second goal of the season with assists from Anthony Duclair and JG Pageau. It was a strong first impression in his new middle-six role on the third line.
DeBoer showed trust in Palat by giving him substantial ice time. He logged 14:47, the sixth-most among the team's forwards and the second-highest single-game total for him this season. Only Bo Horvat, Simon Holmstrom, Kyle Palmieri, Brayden Schenn, and Pageau played more.
Those five players represent the team's top three centers and first-line wingers, meaning Palat received second-line minutes. In his 15th NHL season, Palat appears much improved after an offseason with the team under DeBoer compared to his performance after being acquired ahead of last season's trade deadline.
He has earned the trust of his head coach and the expanded role that awaits him.
Key Analysis
The Islanders' injury woes have forced DeBoer to reshuffle his forward lines, and Palat's strong response could solidify his spot in the middle six even after the team returns to full health. His elevated ice time and scoring touch suggest he is ready to handle a more prominent role, providing a potential boost to New York's offensive depth during a critical stretch.