New York Islanders forward Jean-Gabriel Pageau was scratched prior to Tuesday night’s game against the Ottawa Senators with an illness and is considered day-to-day, the team announced.
In his place, the team emergency recalled Marc Gatcomb from AHL Bridgeport. The 25-year-old has scored nine goals with eight assists in 34 games in the minors, tying his goal-scoring total from last season, which he attained in 61 games.
The four-year product out of UConn had never appeared in an NHL game, making his Tuesday night at UBS Arena his professional debut.
A rookie lap for Marc Gatcomb, who makes his #NHL debut tonight. #Isles pic.twitter.com/5EJqioEAhD
— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) January 15, 2025
A bug continues to sweep through the locker room, which has kept starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin sidelined since Saturday. Backup Marcus Hogberg, who has stepped in as New York’s No. 2 with Semyon Varlamov out due to injury, picked up his first NHL win since the 2020-21 season in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Utah Hockey Club.
Pageau is one of the Islanders’ most versatile forwards — a middle-six forward who is strong in the face-off circle and one of the team’s best penalty killers. He has nine goals with 12 assists in 40 games this season.
