The New York Islanders are wrapping up their season-long seven-game road trip tonight in Seattle, and there’s a real opportunity to head home with a winning record. A 4-2-1 finish would be a solid mark on any road swing, especially one that’s stretched across time zones and tested this team’s depth.
Seattle, meanwhile, is limping into this matchup. They’ve dropped three straight and are hovering just outside the wild card picture in the Western Conference.
But for the first time all season, they’re finally healthy-or at least close to it. That could make them a tougher out than their recent record suggests.
Still, the Islanders have dealt with their own share of adversity this year, including key injuries, so they won’t be too sympathetic.
Puck drops at 9:30 p.m. ET, and it’s a national broadcast tonight on TNT and HBO Max.
The last time these two teams met? That unforgettable 1-0 shootout win back in November at UBS Arena.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty-exactly the kind of game the Islanders tend to thrive in.
Islanders Storylines to Watch
The Isles are riding some momentum after taking the first of two games to close out this road trip. If they can finish strong in Seattle, it’ll be a confidence booster heading back to Long Island. The team has shown flashes of cohesion under Patrick Roy, and tonight’s game will be another test of how far they’ve come.
One of the more interesting subplots lately has been Anthony Duclair’s resurgence. The secret?
Apparently, it’s Casey Cizikas’ stick. That’s right-Duclair was struggling and decided to switch it up, borrowing a stick from the gritty fourth-liner.
Since then, he’s been buzzing. Sometimes, it’s the little things that spark a turnaround.
Then there’s Max Tsyplakov. His second season hasn’t gone quite as planned.
He was effectively benched in the second half of the game in Vancouver, which is never a great sign for a young player trying to find his footing. But Roy has made it clear he still wants to use Tsyplakov-and use him more.
That’s a vote of confidence from a coach who understands development isn’t always linear.
Prospect Watch
Kashawn Aitcheson continues to impress in the pipeline. The young forward is putting together a strong campaign, and his name keeps popping up in prospect reports for all the right reasons. The Islanders haven’t had a ton of high-end offensive prospects in recent years, so Aitcheson’s progress is worth keeping an eye on.
Matthew Schaefer is also making waves in his rookie season, carving out his own place in the record books. The organization has to feel good about the early returns on both players.
Off the Ice
Islanders coaching legend John MacLean recently reflected on finally being inducted into the Devils’ Ring of Honor. It’s a well-deserved recognition for a guy who’s been around the game a long time and made his mark both behind the bench and on the ice.
And if you’re a fan of deep dives and nostalgia, Stan Fischler pulled a gem from the archives: a 1979 interview with the late Glenn Hall, one of the pioneers of the butterfly style of goaltending. Hall talked about learning the game on frozen ponds, where creativity ruled and coaches weren’t barking from the bench. It’s a reminder of how much the game has changed-and how some things, like passion for the sport, never do.
Around the League
The Canadiens, Senators, and Sabres all picked up wins last night. The Sabres, in particular, are now sitting with the same record as the Islanders. It's a reminder that the Eastern Conference wild card race is going to be tight, and every point matters from here on out.
In goalie news, we got a rare treat: a full-on goalie fight between Sergei Bobrovsky and Alex Nedeljkovic. It was heated, it was dramatic, and it was exactly the kind of chaos hockey fans live for.
There was also a trade to report-Kiefer Sherwood is heading to San Jose in exchange for picks. Nothing blockbuster, but a move that could give Sherwood a fresh start.
In Vancouver, Adam Foote received a vote of confidence from Canucks management. With the team in a clear rebuild mode, it’s about playing the long game. And sometimes, that means staying the course even when the short-term results aren’t pretty.
And finally, the Tri-State Hockey Podcast with Arthur Staple is tackling all things local-from the Islanders’ road trip to the Rangers’ latest drama and a bit of Devils talk thrown in for good measure.
Tonight’s Focus
All eyes are on Seattle tonight. The Islanders have a chance to close out this trip with a statement.
It won’t be easy-no road game in the Pacific Northwest ever is-but this group has shown they can grind out wins when it matters. If they can do it again tonight, they’ll be flying home with momentum and a sense that things are starting to click under Patrick Roy.