Islanders Lose Key Forward Holmstrom to Injury Amid Playoff Chase

Anthony Duclair will replace Holmstrom in the lineup as the Islanders face the Sabres on Tuesday.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 10:28pm

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp geometric shapes in vibrant colors like blue, orange, and silver, conceptually representing the Islanders' struggle to overcome a key injury as they chase a playoff spot.The Islanders' playoff push faces a critical challenge as they lose a key forward to injury, forcing the team to adapt its strategy and lineup.Today in Pittsburgh

The New York Islanders suffered a significant blow to their Stanley Cup Playoff push, as forward Simon Holmstrom will miss Tuesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres due to an upper-body injury sustained in the team's previous game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Holmstrom, a 2019 first-round pick, has been a key contributor for the Islanders in recent weeks, but his absence will impact the team's penalty kill and second power-play unit.

Why it matters

The Islanders are currently in third place in the Metropolitan Division, but teams are closing in on them in the standings. With just seven games remaining in the regular season, every point is crucial as they fight to secure a playoff spot. Holmstrom's injury is a significant setback for the team as they try to fend off the competition and maintain their position.

The details

Holmstrom crashed into the boards early in Monday's game against the Penguins and remained in the game, but will not be available for Tuesday's matchup against the Sabres. Anthony Duclair will enter the lineup in Holmstrom's place, skating alongside Brayden Schenn and Mathew Barzal. The Islanders are also dealing with an injury on the back end, as defenseman Tony DeAngelo remains out, putting Adam Boqvist in a key role.

  • Holmstrom was injured in the Islanders' game against the Penguins on Monday.
  • The Islanders will face the Sabres on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Simon Holmstrom

A 2019 first-round pick for the Islanders who has been a key contributor in recent weeks, but will miss Tuesday's game against the Sabres due to an upper-body injury.

Anthony Duclair

A forward who will replace Holmstrom in the lineup for the Islanders' game against the Sabres. Duclair has struggled to live up to his contract with the Islanders, playing in just 104 of a possible 157 games since joining the team in the 2024-25 season.

Mathew Barzal

The Islanders' star center, who scored a goal in the team's loss to the Penguins on Monday.

Brayden Schenn

The Islanders' forward who will play alongside Duclair and Barzal in Holmstrom's absence.

Tony DeAngelo

The Islanders' defenseman who remains out with an injury, putting Adam Boqvist in a key role on the blue line.

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What they’re saying

“'Simon Holmstrom (upper body, day to day) will not play. Anthony Duclair will play alongside Brayden Schenn and Mathew Barzal.'”

— Stefen Rosner, Reporter, The Hockey News

What’s next

The Islanders will need to find a way to overcome Holmstrom's absence and secure a win against the Sabres on Tuesday to maintain their position in the playoff race. The team's final seven games of the regular season will be crucial in determining their postseason fate.

The takeaway

Holmstrom's injury is a significant blow to the Islanders' playoff push, as the young forward has been a key contributor in recent weeks. The team will need to rely on players like Duclair and Barzal to step up in Holmstrom's absence, and the final stretch of the regular season will be crucial in determining whether the Islanders can secure a playoff spot.