The Islanders' fourth line remains an uncertainty
Simon Holmstrom #10 of the New York Islanders tries to control the puck in the first period against Martin Fehervary #42 of the Washington Capitals at UBS Arena on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025 in Elmont, New York. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Much was expected of Simon Holmstrom this season after he blossomed into one of the Islanders’ more reliable forwards last season.
But it’s been a slow start for the Swede, selected 23rd overall in 2019, and he might not be in the lineup when the Islanders face the winless Sharks on Tuesday night at UBS Arena. He’s one of four wings, including Max Tsyplakov, Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb, vying to secure a regular spot on Casey Cizikas’ fourth line.
“I feel like he’s been playing some good hockey,” coach Patrick Roy said after Monday’s practice at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow. “I feel like he was doing a lot of good things offensive and defensively. But hey, that’s the beauty to having a good lineup. You have to make some decisions. Right now, we feel that’s the best lineup for us.”
Holmstrom has one assist while playing in the Islanders’ first five games. They have a two-game winning streak after Saturday’s defensively deficient 5-4 win in Ottawa in which Holmstrom logged 13:11 with one shot. His turnover led to a goal by Dylan Cozens that gave the Senators a 4-3 lead at 18:47 of a wild second period.
“I’ve been creating a couple of chances for the ice time I’ve had,” Holmstrom said. “I had that turnover there in the second, which you’ve got to clean up. Other than that, I’ve been playing some solid hockey, not my best, for sure. When you’re not out there as much, it’s tougher.”
Holmstrom is averaging 11:45 of ice time compared to 16:52 last season, when he notched career highs with 20 goals and 25 assists in 75 games in a top-nine role.
According to NaturalStatTrick, Holmstrom is last on the Islanders with a 41.49 Corsi percentage as he’s been on the ice for only three high-danger chances for and 12 high-danger chances against and 12 scoring chances for and 33 against. His expected goals for of 1.12 is last on the Islanders.
Granted, it’s very early in the season, but Holmstrom has not been able to push himself into a top-nine role with free agents Jonathan Drouin and Max Shabanov taking spots and Anthony Duclair healthy and effective.
For now, Holmstrom must prove to Roy he can consistently contribute on an in-flux fourth line after playing the first two games on Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s third line before Duclair pushed his way into the top six.
“No secret sauce,” Roy said of constructing his fourth line. “We’ve got a lot of good players and we’re going to rotate some guys. There are some guys that are going to be in and out of the lineup. MacLean has been playing really well, but that’s the situation he’s in.”
MacLean was in the lineup the past two games for Tsyplakov, with Roy looking for improvement in the Russian’s defense and puck decisions.
“Just remember about details,” Tsyplakov said. “On the fourth line, I need more time to use my skills. I need to try to stay simple. Forecheck. Not try to think about the offensive zone.”
Notes & quotes: Roy said goalie Ilya Sorokin will start against the Sharks after making 28 saves against the Senators and David Rittich will make his second start of the season on Thursday night against the visiting Red Wings. Sorokin has allowed four goals in each of his four starts . . . Defenseman Alexander Romanov (upper body/ day-to-day) rejoined his teammates on Monday after missing Saturday’s game and Friday’s practice, working in his usual spot paired with Tony DeAngelo. But Roy said whether Romanov is able to play will be a game-time decision.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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