Islanders’ Heineman Ejected After Hit Injures Oilers’ Howard

Islanders forward Emil Heineman was ejected early in a 4-0 loss to the Oilers after officials reviewed his knee-on-knee hit on Edmonton’s Isaac Howard and assessed a five-minute major and game misconduct. Howard, who was unable to put weight on his leg and did not return, was helped off the ice; Oilers coach Mike Babcock later said the injury appeared less serious than it initially looked. Islanders coach Pete DeBoer said he was surprised the major was upheld, while teammate Jean-Gabriel Pageau said the hit was not intentional; the team faced uncertainty over whether Heineman would receive further discipline.