Jean-Gabriel Pageau Returns Just in Time for the Islanders’ Homestand

After an eight-game absence due to an upper-body injury, Jean-Gabriel Pageau made a triumphant return to the New York Islanders, just in time for their three-game homestand against the Vegas Golden Knights on December 9, 2025.

A Welcome Addition

In his first game back, Pageau played a pivotal role in the Islanders’ thrilling 5-4 shootout victory. Logging nearly 19 minutes on the ice (18:58 to be exact), Pageau expressed his enthusiasm to rejoin his teammates after watching from the sidelines. "It’s never fun to be on the sideline and watching your teammates battling… I feel extremely excited to join the group," Pageau stated.

Lineup Changes

Head coach Patrick Roy made a strategic move by slotting Pageau on the first line alongside Mathew Barzal, a decision that aimed to revitalize the team’s offensive output, which had dipped during Pageau’s absence. Maxim Tsyplakov was scratched for the game as a result.

Pageau’s Impact:

• Faceoffs: Despite playing on the wing, Pageau took a majority of the faceoffs, winning 19 out of 27 attempts, while Barzal managed only eight.
• Team Dynamics: "It’s always fun when you have two centermen… Just to have the opportunity to play with them tonight, I’m super excited," Pageau remarked about teaming up with Barzal and Anders Lee.

Offensive Struggles

The Islanders’ offense struggled in Pageau’s absence, scoring more than two goals in only two of the eight games. The team faced additional injury challenges, with notable players like Kyle Palmieri and Jonathan Drouin also sidelined.

Offensive Statistics:

• Goals Scored: The Islanders’ scoring averaged less than 2.5 goals per game during Pageau’s absence.

Special Teams Performance

As the game unfolded, Roy expressed frustration over a tripping call against goalie Ilya Sorokin during the first period. "I played 18 years, I did that a lot. It’s the first time I see a call," Roy said. Despite these officiating issues, the Islanders maintained a strong penalty kill, coming into the game with a remarkable 90.7% kill rate since October 30.

Key Defensive Stats:

• Penalty Kill Rate: 49 for 54, the best in the NHL.

The Future Outlook

As the Islanders navigate this homestand, the return of Pageau might prove pivotal in their quest for playoff contention. Coach Roy has noted the importance of consistency and teamwork, emphasizing that "Tsyplakov played well" but that performance from others has made lineup decisions challenging.

Upcoming Matches:

• Next Opponents: The Islanders continue their homestand with potential chances to solidify their position in the standings.

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