Overview
- The Islanders beat the Los Angeles Kings 5-2 to end a four-game winless stretch on Thursday night, with Brayden Schenn posting a goal and two assists and rookie Victor Eklund extending his scoring streak to four games.
- Wingers Matias Maccelli and defenseman Ryan Pulock both returned to the lineup and made immediate impacts, while third-line center Jean-Gabriel Pageau exited morning skate and is listed day-to-day with a lower-body issue.
- Pulock’s absence was a reaggravation of an offseason shoulder repair and team medical staff say his shoulder will require managed minutes and extra treatment across the season.
- Reports and coaches say the win did not erase larger problems: the Islanders have shown frayed defensive structure, inconsistent puck management, and a struggling power play that has gone long stretches without goals.
- The club heads to Anaheim on Saturday for the next game and faces a test of whether healthier pieces can spark sustained improvement or force management to consider roster moves if issues persist.