After two days off, the New York Islanders took the ice at Northwell Health Ice Center on Monday for their first practice post preseason and first practice after trimming the roster down to one on-ice group.
"The compete level was very high during the whole camp and now it's obviously a smaller group," Jean-Gabriel Pageau said on Monday. "It looks like everyone is ready to go hard every day trying to be better. I think we're all looking forward to the first official game, it's been a long summer and we're trying to be the best that we can."
Hudson Fasching and Pierre Engvall joined the team for practice after missing Friday’s preseason finale vs New Jersey. Head Coach Lane Lambert listed them both as day-to-day on Friday.
Cal Clutterbuck is out sick and did not skate with the team on Monday, but Head Coach Lane Lambert said he is not concerned.
At the tail end of a long training camp, the Islanders are looking to utilize the next five days to fully prepare for Opening Night on Saturday vs the Buffalo Sabres.
"It allows us for more practice time, but also guys are chomping at the bit to play a game," Lambert said. "They see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's [something] they're really looking forward to."
