Islanders win but lose Romanov to illness

Adam Pelech returned to the Islanders' lineup, but the team had to deal with the absence of Alexander Romanov due to illness. This meant the Islanders could not play their six opening-night defensemen together for the first time since October 25. The team faced the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday and won 4-2 in a comeback victory. Coach Patrick Roy noted that injuries and illnesses have plagued the team this season. He expressed hope that the roster would become healthier moving forward. Pelech had been recovering from a foot issue after blocking a shot. He expressed relief that the injury was short-term. "I'm feeling great," he said, adding that he wasn't ready for the previous game against Florida but was close to 100 percent now. In the game, Pelech logged a season-high 26 minutes on ice and played alongside Tony DeAngelo. This was their first pairing together this season, as DeAngelo had been with Romanov since his arrival in January. Pelech also had 12 shot attempts, showcasing a more aggressive playing style. After the game, Pelech highlighted the importance of sticking to their game plan during recent comebacks. He emphasized discipline and belief in their system. Roy mentioned a controversial call during the first period that involved goaltender interference. He challenged the play but lost the review. Despite the setback, he urged the team to focus on their victory and look ahead to the next game.