Per New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy, Simon Holmstrom will play in place of Matt Martin during tonight’s do-or-die Game 5 against the Carolina Hurricanes, according to multiple reports.
#Isles Players update: Holmstrom will play for Martin in Game 5.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 30, 2024
Tonight’s game will be Holmstrom’s first since Game 1 of the series on April 20, when he logged 9:37 of time on ice with one shot on goal. Holmstrom set a career-high in points during the regular season, scoring 25 points with 15 goals in 75 games.
Martin will miss his second straight game for the Islanders and remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury, per Roy. Rookie forward Ruslan Iskhakov made his playoff debut this past Saturday when he took Martin’s spot in the lineup during Game 4 of the series.
Mathew Barzal’s double-overtime goal in Game 4 helped the Islanders avoid elimination with a 3-2 win and force Game 5 tonight in Raleigh.
Semyon Varlamov is confirmed to be the starter in goal for the Islanders. The veteran has started all but one game in this series and has posted a 2.08 goals against average with a .930 save percentage. Frederik Andersen is expected to start in net for the Hurricanes.
Puck drop for Game 5 between the Islanders and Hurricanes is scheduled for just past 7:30 p.m. EST at PNC Arena. Should the Islanders win tonight, Game 6 will be played back on Long Island on Thursday at UBS Arena. If not, it’ll spell the end of the season for the Islanders.
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