Coming Home: The Islanders Return To UBS Arena Tonight After Five Long Months Away
After completing three road pre-season games, the Islanders skate on home ice for three exhibition match-ups starting tonight vs. New Jersey.
For the first time since Mathew Barzal tipped home Robert Bortuzzo’s wrist shot from the point at 1:24 of the second overtime period on Apr. 27 to keep their season alive, the New York Islanders are back home at UBS Arena.
The team that plays against the Devils later tonight will be very different from the team that played in Game Four against the Carolina Hurricanes.
For starters, it should be the home debut of the new-look top line featuring Anthony Duclair, Bo Horvat, and Mathew Barzal, a threesome that torched the New York Rangers in their 6-4 loss at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
That line combined for three goals (Barzal scored twice, Horvat scored once) and two assists (Duclair).
It would be a great story if we saw Long Island native and Islanders fan Marshall Warren.
Warren, a former Minnesota Wild sixth-round pick, played four years at Boston College—he wore the “C” his senior season—before finishing his collegiate career with the University of Michigan.
He signed his entry-level deal at the end of last season.
©Michigan Athletics
He took warmups in Philadelphia but did not get in the game.
There will be a morning skate at Northwell Ice Center, so unlike the other preseason games, we will know the lineup prior to warmups.
With three preseason games to go, I think we can put some puzzle pieces together.
We know the defense:
Adam Pelech - Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov - Noah Dobson
Mike Reilly - Scott Mayfield
As for the offense, Roy’s words gave us more answers about his forward lines, specifically the second line.
“I think [Holmstrom] is starting to feel more comfortable playing with [Nelson and Palmieri] and we just need to give him a bit of time,” Roy said. “I thought in the second and the third, he started to look more comfortable and was moving pretty well, like making plays. So that's what I want to see from him.
“He's a really good hockey player, so I just need him to feel comfortable with these two guys; use his speed, find Nelly and Palmsy. They're going to be fine.”
But what about Maxim Tsyplakov, who scored 31 goals in the KHL last season, getting a chance in the top six?
“We’re trying Simon with the two guys, and we like our first line,” Roy said. “We might try him in other situations, and we'll go from there.”
So, I present to you your likely opening night lineup:
Anthony Duclair - Bo Horvat - Mathew Barzal
Simon Holmstrom - Brock Nelson - Kyle Palmieri
Anders Lee - Jean-Gabriel Pageau - Pierre Engvall
Kyle MacLean - Casey Cizikas - Maxim Tsyplakov
As for who the 13th forward would be, I still think it’s Hudson Fasching. Still, after another strong showing by Liam Foudy, he definitely earned an opportunity to showcase again, so don’t be surprised if he’s playing tonight.
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Hogberg Shows Great Promise, Islanders Shut Out By Flyers In Philadelphia
Philadelphia, PA -- Marcus Hogberg put on a masterclass between the pipes, but the New York Islanders failed to beat Philadelphia Flyers goalie Sam Ersson in a 2-0 shutout loss on Thursday.
Hogberg stopped 24 of 25 in the loss, while Ersson stopped all 34 shots that came his way.
Read the rest at The Hockey News.
(Click Stories to read…)
Islanders Community Events & Calendar:
OPENING NIGHT!
Pregame Fan Fest at The Park. Scarf giveaway for all fans presented by UBS.
Alumni will make appearances!
Click image below for more ticket info:
New York Islanders home games at UBS Arena for October:
• October 10: Regular season game vs. the Utah Hockey Club
• October 19: Regular season game vs. the Montreal Canadiens
• October 26: Regular season game vs. the Florida Panthers
• October 29: Regular season game vs. the Tampa Bay Lightning
Two notable non-hockey events happening at UBS Arena in October:
• October 5: 93.1 Amor En Vivo
• October 7: Jelly Roll: Beautifully Broken Tour
Complimentary Parking!
Once again for the 2024-25 season, those that drive a BMW can receive complimentary single-game parking in the Emerald Parking lot.
Please click the BMW | Islanders image below for parking registration information,
Always nice to hear about a Long Island boy that grew up an Isles fan (unlike Fox)! Hope he gets to pull on the sweater sooner than later - will be a real moment of pride for many of native long islanders
Always nice to hear about a Long Island boy that grew up an Isles fan! Hope he gets to pull on the sweater sooner than later - will be a real moment of pride for many of us.