The Islanders come out of their four-day break with a tough assignment waiting on the other side: the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.
New York had time to rest and reset after getting shut out 4-0 by the Edmonton Oilers in its final game before the pause, but the break also brought a little life back to practice. Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Matias Maccelli all skated, though they were wearing red non-contact jerseys. Even with the limited participation, there was a noticeable buzz around the group as it prepared for a demanding return to action.
For the Islanders, the spotlight now falls on Victor Eklund. The rookie has been trending up with each game, and his style has already caught the attention of head coach Peter DeBoer.
Listed at 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds, Eklund doesn’t play like a player trying to avoid contact. He hunts pucks, pressures hard and is willing to get involved physically, which makes him a natural fit for a matchup like this one.
“He [Eklund] has been the one guy I think (has) probably been the biggest surprise to me because of his size,” DeBoer said, via Shannon Bickert of NHL.com. “How consistently he goes into those spaces, into those one-on-one battles, and comes out with pucks or wins the pinch and advances the puck, and that's what you have to do against a team like Carolina.
His game's built for that tomorrow night. I think we got to make sure the rest of our group is ready to do that too.”
Eklund has backed up that reputation with production in the physical game, leading the team with 39 hits in 14 games. With injuries already thinning out the roster early in the season, that kind of edge has made him a key piece for New York.
Still, the Islanders know this won’t be decided by forechecking alone. Carolina arrives allowing just 2.29 goals per game, second-best in the NHL behind only the Minnesota Wild at 2.24. New York has been strong defensively too, giving up 2.71 goals per game, which ranks fifth.
That sets up what should be a tight, detail-heavy game, where chances are likely to be scarce and execution will matter in every zone. Against a team as disciplined and complete as Carolina, getting to the dangerous areas won’t come easy. That’s why Eklund’s role looms so large: his energy, pressure and willingness to battle could help the Islanders create the openings they need.
As his offensive game keeps developing, DeBoer appears increasingly comfortable using Eklund in any situation, trusting the rookie because he plays the kind of hockey that helps teams win.
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Hurricanes Present The Islanders Test That Could Change Everything
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Semyon Varlamov is expected to get the start in goal, giving the Islanders a veteran presence in a game where every mistake can snowball quickly. With both lineups taking shape and the standings still early enough to swing in a hurry, this one has the feel of a test that could say a lot about where New York really stands against one of the leagues more demanding opponents. [Read more 🡒]
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Shayne Gostisbehere Is Forcing A Bigger Hurricanes Decision
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The bigger question now is what comes next. Gostisbehere is on an expiring contract, and while he has said he is open to discussions, he is also taking the season day-by-day, which leaves Carolina with a decision it cannot avoid for long. When a defenseman is tilting the ice this effectively, the conversation stops being just about production and starts becoming about whether the Hurricanes can keep him in the fold. [Read more 🡒]