TORONTO — The Islanders were down Simon Holmstrom on Tuesday afternoon in their final game of 2024, with the Swedish forward having suffered an upper-body injury two days prior in Pittsburgh.
Holmstrom missed the last 8:46 of the 3-2 loss to the Penguins and was described by coach Patrick Roy as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.
Pierre Engvall drew back into the lineup against Toronto after four straight healthy scratches, playing on the fourth line with Kyle MacLean and Hudson Fasching. Casey Cizikas moved up to what would have been Holmstrom’s spot on a line with Bo Horvat and Anthony Duclair.
This was the first game Holmstrom has missed due to injury in the NHL, and it came at a less-than-ideal time, with the Islanders desperately needing to begin stacking wins to avoid their playoff chances slipping away.
Holmstrom has been one of the bright spots in a generally dreary season for the Islanders, already just three points behind the 25 he had last season through half as many games.
The consistency that was missing during his first two years in the league, particularly on the offensive side of the game, has started to shine through, with Holmstrom playing a more assertive game and looking more willing to shoot the puck.
The Islanders have already dealt with injuries to star forwards Duclair and Mat Barzal this season — both missed extended time before getting back just a couple weeks ago.
Another injury so soon after finally getting healthy is the opposite of what they needed.
