Alexander Romanov’s return to the Islanders blue line has been cut short again. New York expects the defenseman to miss the remainder of the season after he tore the ACL in his right knee during Tuesday’s 5-2 road loss to the New York Rangers.
Key takeaways
- Romanov is projected to be sidelined for six to eight months following the right-knee injury.
- The defenseman left Tuesday’s game in the third period and did not play the final 12:04.
- He had appeared in three games for New York, posting a plus-2 rating while averaging 16:34 per night.
- Romanov had only recently returned from shoulder surgery stemming from an injury suffered on Nov. 19, 2025.
- The Islanders carry a 1-2-0 record into Thursday’s home date with the Chicago Blackhawks.
Another setback for the Islanders defenseman
Romanov was hurt during the third period at Madison Square Garden, where the Islanders fell behind the Rangers and could not recover. He finished his brief three-game stint without a point, but had been on the ice for more goals for than against.
The knee injury arrives after a lengthy absence caused by a shoulder problem that required surgery. That injury, sustained on Nov. 19, 2025, kept Romanov out for the rest of last season. He recorded one assist across 15 games.
New York now faces another extended stretch without a physical, left-shot defender who has become a regular on its back end since arriving from Montreal. Romanov was selected 38th overall by the Canadiens in the second round of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Romanov’s NHL record and the next game
Across 372 regular-season NHL appearances with Montreal and the Islanders, Romanov has produced 17 goals and 67 assists for 84 points. He has also played 13 Stanley Cup Playoff games, collecting one goal and one assist.
The Islanders return to UBS Arena on Thursday to host the Chicago Blackhawks. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET, with CHSN and MSGSN carrying the game.
