Oilers' Isaac Howard Suffers Injury After Harsh Knee-on-Knee Hit from Islanders' Heineman

Oilers winger Isaac Howard was forced to leave Saturday’s game after a knee-on-knee collision with Islanders forward Emil Heineman, resulting in a five-minute major and game misconduct penalty. Howard sustained a lower-body injury and did not return, adding to Edmonton’s growing injury concerns. The hit drew immediate scrutiny and raised questions about potential discipline from the NHL’s Department of Player Safety.

On October 31, 2026, during a game at UBS Arena, Edmonton Oilers winger Isaac Howard was injured in a knee-on-knee collision with New York Islanders forward Emil Heineman just over two minutes into the contest. The hit, which occurred when Heineman’s left knee struck Howard’s leg, resulted in a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct after video review confirmed the severity of the contact. Howard, who had one goal and two assists in 12 games this season, was seen favoring his left leg and required assistance off the ice, ultimately being ruled out for the remainder of the game with a lower-body injury. The incident drew immediate attention due to its violent nature and the fact that it occurred early in the game, disrupting Edmonton’s offensive momentum. Heineman, who has two goals and four assists in 13 games this season, was ejected from the game and later threw his stick in frustration as he left the ice. The Oilers’ power play failed to capitalize, with Ilya Sorokin making three saves during the penalty kill.

This incident comes amid growing concerns for Edmonton’s injury list, which already includes Zach Hyman on injured reserve due to a neck injury. The NHL’s Department of Player Safety is expected to review the hit, following precedent set earlier in the week when Hayden Hodgson received a two-game suspension for a boarding hit on Brandt Clarke. While no decision has yet been announced, the league’s past actions suggest that such a hit could result in supplem