Preseason Game Preview: Islanders vs Rangers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS VS NEW YORK RANGERS

7:30 PM | UBS ARENA | BUY TICKETS

HOW TO WATCH/STREAM: MSGSN, MSG+ ON DAZN

HOW TO LISTEN: 88.7FM WRHU, 103.9FM LI NEWS, ISLES + UBS ARENA APP

Hockey is back at UBS Arena, as the New York Islanders host the New York Rangers in preseason action on Long Island.

The Islanders are 1-1-0 in preseason action, most recently beating the Rangers 4-3 in comeback fashion on Tuesday night at Madison Square Garden.

LINEUPS

Check back after morning skate for the latest lineup news.

Forwards
11 Anthony Duclair 
18 Pierre Engvall 
20 Matthew Highmore 
25 Matt Luff 
26 Mitchell Chaffee 
32 Kyle MacLean 
43 Liam Foudy  
45 Alex Jefferies 
51 Emil Heineman 
52 Daylan Kuefler 
57 Cole Eiserman 
76 Daniil Prokhorov 

Defensemen
4 Matt Kessel 
6 Ryan Pulock 
28 Alexander Romanov 
36 Isaiah George 
37 Kashawn Aitcheson 
77 Tony DeAngelo 

Goaltenders
40 Semyon Varlamov  
60 Joshua Kotai

ROMANOV READY TO RETURN TO GAME ACTION

Alexander Romanov will see his first game action since going down with a right shoulder injury on November 18, 2025, on Friday night against the Rangers.  

"Just excited to play my first game since I was injured," Romanov said. "Right now, doesn't matter if it's a preseason game, [I’m] not worried because we're going to play our preseason game exactly like how we're going to play in season." 

Romanov does not have a specific focus during his first game back, but he is just excited to be back.  

"I just want to come back and feel how it feels to be a hockey player and play a game because when you miss almost all year, you miss the game, and I want to just come back and be the best I can," Romanov said.  

Romanov's teammates have seen how eager the defenseman is to get back on the ice and are excited to get his presence back. Since the 2022-23 season, Romanov ranks third on the Isles in hits with 533 across 236 games played.   

"Romy looks good," said Ryan Pulock, who skated on a pair with Romanov during morning skate. "I think he's been chomping at the bit here for the last week to get into some game action. A couple scrimmages, he was out there flying around, and in the locker room, he's ready to play some games. Obviously, such a key part to the back end here. Missing him for a good portion of last year was a big blow and we're excited to have him back." 

VARLAMOV EXPECTED TO START, PLAY FULL GAME

Semyon Varlamov is expected to start in goal and play the full game tonight for the Islanders.  

After being sidelined for nearly two years, Varalmov saw his first game action against the Rangers on Tuesday night. He played half of the game and stopped all nine shots he faced and was credited with the win.

NEW MENU ITEMS

Perhaps you've heard about the Nerds Gummy Cluster Brie Grilled Cheese. 

Friday will be your first chance to try it - and all the new menu offerings at UBS Arena. See the full list of new items here.

PRESEASON 50/50

The 50/50, which benefits the Islanders Children's Foundation, is combining the pot from this weekend's preseason games, as well as the Home Opener on Oct. 3. Purchase at UBS Arena, or online here.