Tag: New York Islanders

Emil Heineman celebrates after scoring for the New York Islanders against Detroit

Islanders Explode for 7 vs Red Wings, Win 4th Straight

Author: IHM Team | Date: October 24, 2025

ELMONT, N.Y. – The New York Islanders overpowered the Detroit Red Wings 7-2 at UBS Arena to collect their fourth straight win. Emil Heineman scored twice for his first career multigoal game and stretched his point streak to five games. David Rittich made 31 saves in net.

Emil Heineman celebrates after scoring for the New York Islanders against Detroit

Total buy-in, all four lines

Tony DeAngelo opened the scoring just 2:05 in, jumping into the rush and finishing blocker side. The Islanders never eased off. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Kyle Palmieri, Mathew Barzal and Simon Holmstrom all scored. Captain Anders Lee had three assists and drove puck wins on the wall.

Patrick Roy: “Rittich was outstanding. Lee was a beast. DeAngelo looked like himself again. A lot of guys played really well.”

Heineman keeps rising

Heineman, acquired in the Noah Dobson trade, made it 2-0 in the first with a one-timer off a Bo Horvat feed on a 2-on-1. He struck again in the third to make it 6-1. His chemistry with Horvat is becoming a real threat.

“Bo is giving me great passes,” Heineman said. “I just keep my stick down and let it go.”

Details that win

  • 3-0: Anders Lee forced a turnover and set up Jean-Gabriel Pageau alone in the slot.
  • 4-0: Kyle Palmieri scored at the crease. Detroit challenged for goalie interference and lost.
  • 5-0: Mathew Barzal finished glove side on a short break late in the second.
  • 7-1: Simon Holmstrom buried a rebound from the left circle after relentless pressure.

Dylan Larkin and Jonatan Berggren scored for Detroit, which has now dropped back-to-back games.

Schaefer watch

Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer played 25:14 and finished plus-2, even though his six-game point streak ended. That streak had tied the longest season-opening run by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Coach Mark’s Comment: “This is Islanders identity at max volume: physical, layered, ruthless on loose pucks. Heineman gives them instant finish, Lee is doing captain’s work, and Rittich was calm. That’s a playoff blueprint game.”


New York Islanders promote Sergei Naumovs after firing goalie coach Piero Greco

Islanders Make Early Goalie Change: Greco Out, Naumovs In After 6 Games

Author: IHM Team | Date: October 23, 2025

The New York Islanders made a rare in-season move only six games into the year. Goaltending coach Piero Greco was dismissed and Sergei Naumovs was promoted from AHL Bridgeport. Naumovs previously worked with Ilya Sorokin at CSKA Moscow from 2018 to 2020.

New York Islanders promote Sergei Naumovs after firing goalie coach Piero Greco

Context

New York has won three straight, but Sorokin’s numbers remain below his standard: 3.90 GAA and .873 SV% among goalies with at least four appearances. General manager Mathieu Darche called the switch a reset for the position and said he did not seek input from Sorokin, who is in year two of an eight-year, 66 million dollar contract that runs through 2032.

“Right timing to have a reset with our goalies. It is 100 percent my decision. The goalie had nothing to do with it.” - Mathieu Darche

Why Naumovs

  • Prior working relationship with Sorokin at CSKA Moscow.
  • Technical detail on post integrations and rebound control.
  • Cultural and communication fit that shortens the learning curve.

What changes now

  • Focus on quiet feet, early set and first-save probability.
  • Cleaner puck touches to speed exits and reduce repeat zone time.
  • Refined pre-scout habits and morning-skate workload.

Coach Mark’s Comment: “This is about getting Sorokin back to quiet feet and first save probability. Naumovs knows his rhythms and language. If the details tighten in the crease and on breakouts, the numbers will normalize quickly.”