Islanders’ third-pair decision comes into view as Isaiah George doesn’t help cause in rough night

It feels like training camp only just started, and yet the clock is ticking for the Islanders to make roster decisions. 

Such is the reality of what is now a 13-day sprint.

Saturday’s preseason finale is expected to feature something close to the opening-night lineup, which meant that Friday’s match at home against the Rangers was crucial for a number of bubble players, perhaps none more so than Isaiah George. 

Noah Laba (42) is pursued by Isaiah George (36) during the third period of the Islanders’ 6-1 preseason loss to the Rangers at UBS Arena on Sept. 25, 2026 at UBS Arena. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

The contest for the sixth and seventh defense spots has been perhaps the most open of camp. George, who entered as the favorite to start next to Tony DeAngelo, slipped with a lackluster rookie camp and start to main camp — and while Pete DeBoer wouldn’t tip his hand when asked about the third pair Friday morning, you could read between the lines and hear what sounded like an endorsement of Scott Mayfield. 

“I think you’re looking for stability,” DeBoer said. “Just like a young forward trying to make a team or a line, you want to gain the coach’s trust. The coach wants to feel good about putting those guys out there. 

“Let’s be honest, we’re starting on the road in Toronto. We don’t control the matchups. You have to feel OK that [Auston] Matthews’ line is gonna jump over the boards, those guys are gonna be OK. I think that’s what we’re looking for, both with the forwards and defensemen.” 

George did not do much of anything to help the case that he would be trusted to hop over the boards with Matthews on the other side Friday night as a varsity Rangers squad beat down a mostly JV Islanders team 6-1. George, who finished minus-1 and was caught puck-watching multiple times, had as bad a night as most of his teammates. 

Scott Mayfield skates during training camp at the Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow, N.Y. on Sept. 17, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“I don’t know if I’m playing tomorrow, but just try to put my best foot forward every day,” George said of his camp. “I think I did a good job of that. I thought each day I got better and I was a good player out there. So at the end of the day, I did my best and whatever happens, happens.” 

DeAngelo, Pierre Engvall, Kyle MacLean and Mitchell Chaffee all played their second preseason game Friday. As veterans with over 100 NHL games played, that means they are ineligible to play Saturday. 

Consequently, it’s likely that the fourth line for Saturday’s dress rehearsal will feature Anthony Duclair and Ondrej Palat on Casey Cizikas. 

Duclair, Emil Heineman, Ryan Pulock and Alexander Romanov all look in line to play both games of the Friday-Saturday back-to-back.