The New York Islanders have only played two games, but one thing already stands out: they may not be as easy to write off as some thought.
That was the takeaway from their home opener, a performance that hinted the Islanders could still have more in them than the modest outside expectations attached to them before the season. It’s early, sure, but New York’s second game offered a much clearer picture of what this team can look like when things click.
Coming into the year, the buzz around the Islanders was pretty muted. The offseason didn’t bring much in the way of upgrades, and plenty of projections had them sliding toward the bottom of the Eastern Conference. That would have been a sharp step back from last season, when the group was able to outperform expectations.
Now, with the season just getting underway, the Islanders still look like a team in between phases. The sense is that they’re waiting for some bad contracts to come off the books so they can be more aggressive next offseason, while hoping their young players continue to develop in the meantime.
But that doesn’t mean this season has to be a wash.
New York made that point loud and clear in its second game, burying a Devils team expected to contend for a playoff spot by a 6-0 margin. After managing only one goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Islanders flipped the script with an offensive outburst. Several key players chipped in, and the special teams delivered too, with both a power play goal and a short-handed goal.
One of the biggest bright spots was Victor Eklund. The former first-round pick earned a spot on the roster out of camp, and on his 20th birthday he scored his first NHL goal and added an assist.
Still, the biggest reason to think the Islanders can beat those low expectations may be sitting in net. Ilya Sorokin was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season, and he’s opened this year strongly as well. Against the Devils, he stopped all 37 shots he faced, helping turn a big win into a shutout.
It’s still a tiny sample, but after that kind of showing, the Islanders have at least given reason to believe they can be better than the outside forecasts.
In Other News...
Former Islanders Forward Already Facing Heat In Calgary
Maxim Tsyplakovs move to Calgary has quickly become one of those early-season storylines that can shift a players standing before the calendar really gets going. The former Islanders forward arrived in a trade package that sent Simon Nemec to the Flames and brought multiple draft picks plus prospect Etienne Morin to New Jersey, but the attention in Calgary now is less about the deal and more about how Tsyplakov fits into a lineup that is still taking shape.
His start has not helped his case. The struggles that followed him from last season have carried into the preseason and the opening stretch of 2026-27, and with Calgary managing just three goals in three games, there is already pressure on the club to look elsewhere for offense. In a rebuilding setting where younger players are pushing for NHL minutes, Tsyplakovs roster spot is beginning to feel less secure by the day. [Read more 🡒]
Rangers Bring Another Wrinkle Into Islanders Home Opener
The Rangers added another layer to the Islanders home opener by recalling forward Cole Beaudoin from Hartford, a move that reflects how quickly the early-season roster picture is shifting for their biggest rival. Beaudoin earned the promotion after a strong start in the AHL with the Wolf Pack, and his arrival gives New York another young option as it shuffles pieces around at forward.
Joe Velenos trip to injured reserve opened the door for the transaction, while defenseman Matthew Robertson cleared waivers and was assigned to Hartford. For the Islanders, the wrinkle is less about the paperwork and more about the timing, with a new face potentially stepping into the spotlight in a game that already carries plenty of edge. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Just Saw A Fan Loyalty Surge They Had To Notice
A strong offseason response around the Islanders business side has given the organization real reason to pay attention. President of Business Operations Kelly Cheeseman said the clubs season-ticket base remained remarkably steady from one year to the next, a sign that the core fan group is still locked in even as the team keeps pushing to broaden its reach.
The bigger picture is just as encouraging for the franchises long-term plans. The Islanders have also seen more women engaging with the brand and have posted significant digital growth across their online platforms, giving the team more momentum as it rolls out ticket promotions and marketing efforts designed to build a younger, more involved fan base over the next five years. [Read more 🡒]