No matter how high the Islanders climb in the competitive Metropolitan Division race, they'll have to play the remainder of this season without one of their trusted veterans.
The team announced on Saturday that center Kyle Palmieri suffered a torn ACL in Friday's shootout loss to the Flyers at UBS Arena, and he's slated to undergo surgery with a recovery timeline of six to eight months.
Palmieri hurt his left knee early in the second period, when he collided with Flyers defenseman Jamie Drysdale and fell awkwardly along the corner boards.
Impressively enough, the Islanders' alternate captain got up under his own power moments later and proceeded to steal the puck from Flyers blue-liner Emil Andrae in the offensive zone and deliver the assist on a goal for Emil Heineman.
Palmieri didn't participate in the goal celebration -- he immediately left the ice and walked gingerly down the tunnel with trainers.
The brutal injury snaps Palmieri's streak as one of hockey's most durable players, as he'd played 223 consecutive games across five-plus seasons with the Islanders.
In the middle of a two-year, $9.5 million extension signed this past spring, Palmieri logged 18 points (six goals and 12 assists) across 25 games this season.
The Islanders (13-9-5) are currently tied for fourth place in the Metro standings with 29 points. They'll continue a lengthy seven-game homestand on Sunday against the Capitals.
Kyle Palmieri gets the takeaway and Emil Heineman scores his 10th goal of the season 👏 pic.twitter.com/lBDanfeXM4
— Islanders Videos (@SNY_Islanders) November 28, 2025