"Jean-Gabriel Pageau will return to the New York Islanders lineup on Tuesday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, ending a seven-game absence and giving the team a major boost down the middle. After skating as a full participant in recent practices, Pageau said he is "extremely excited" to rejoin a group that has been grinding through one of its toughest stretches of the season."
"Pageau will slot onto a line with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, a trio that blends skill, size, and two natural centermen - something Pageau believes will be a tactical advantage. "It's always fun when you have two centermen. You can share some work in the defensive zone and cheat a little more on faceoffs," he said. "Barzy controls the puck so well, and with Anders winning battles on the wall and around the net, it's a great opportunity.""
"Watching from the press box, Pageau said he gained a different appreciation for the team's recent form. The Islanders played eight games in 13 days, including matchups against Tampa Bay and Colorado, yet Pageau saw a group that stuck together. "The compete level, the battle level, the sacrifice - I thought the team played as a unit of one," he said. "When you're out, you want the boys to win and keep climbing the standings.""
Jean-Gabriel Pageau returns to the Islanders after a seven-game absence and practiced fully before rejoining the lineup. He will skate with Mathew Barzal and Anders Lee, creating a line that mixes skill, size, and two natural centermen to share defensive responsibilities and exploit faceoff matchups. Pageau expressed excitement to rejoin teammates and praised the group's compete, battle and sacrifice through a heavy stretch of eight games in 13 days. He emphasized the need to be at their best against a talented Vegas club with a strong system, urging a full 60-minute effort.
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