Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s return to the Islanders’ lineup in Game 2 against Carolina on Monday was a welcome sight for the team. Pageau, who missed just one game with a lower-body injury, skated on the third line with Anders Lee and Pierre Engvall.
Pageau’s return meant that the Islanders had a full-strength lineup for the first time in the series. Simon Holmstrom moved up to play left wing on the second line, and Hudson Fasching was a healthy scratch.
“I’m fine,” Pageau said after the game. “If I wasn’t, I wouldn’t play.”
Pageau finished the night with 15:17 of ice time, including 3:53 on the penalty kill. He was on the ice for all three Carolina goals in the third period.
“He’s a leader on this team,” Casey Cizikas said of Pageau before the game. “He’s been that way since he’s gotten here. It’s always nice to get him back in the lineup.”
The Islanders had a chance to extend their lead to 4-2 in the third period, but Kyle MacLean’s goal was waved off due to a high stick.
“I think it was the right call, actually,” MacLean said. “I didn’t really see it. My stick was in the air pretty high. It did hit my stick. It is what it is.”
The Islanders were unable to recover from the disallowed goal and went on to lose the game. They now trail the series 2-0 and will need to win Game 3 at home on Wednesday to stay alive.
