Game Day: Islanders vs. Dallas Stars
The Islanders hit the road for the first time in 2024-2025.
Tonight, the New York Islanders kick off their 2024-25 road schedule as they head south to Dallas to face the Stars. Puck drop is at 8:00 PM ET and can be watched on MSGSN2.
WHERE THEY STAND:
After a campaign where they finished first in the Central Division and made it to the Western Conference Final, the Stars opened the 2024-25 season against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. Dallas exploded for four goals in the second period of the game, getting goals from Roope Hintz, Jason Robertson, and two from Mason Marchment to make it 4-1 after 40 minutes. Nashville got within one late on goals by Tomas Novak and Ryan O’Reilly in the third, but that was as close the Predators could get.
The Islanders opened their season against the Utah Hockey Club on Thursday in a back-and-forth matchup. Anthony Duclair scored in his team debut to open the scoring, but Utah seized the lead after 40 minutes on goals from Lawson Crouse and Barrett Hayton.
The third saw the Islanders take the lead twice after Bo Horvat tied the game early in the period. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored shorthanded, and Maxim Tsyplakov scored his first NHL goal, but Utah answered each tally within a minute of them, with Dylan Guenther and Josh Doan answering, respectively.
In overtime, following a Noah Dobson turnover, Guenther finished an odd-man rush to finish a 5-4 win for Utah.
OPPONENT LAST GAME: Stars 4, Predators 3
ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES:
Duclair-Horvat-Barzal
Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Lee-Pageau-Holmstrom
Cizikas-MacLean-Wahlstrom
Pelech-Pulock
Romanov-Dobson
Reilly-Mayfield
Varlamov
Sorokin
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Semyon Varlamov vs. Jake Oettinger
With Ilya Sorokin on the bench for tonight’s game, all eyes will be on Semyon Varlamov as he squares off with Jake Oettinger, one of the NHL’s top goalies.
Oettinger will make his first start against the Islanders since Jan. 10, 2023, despite boasting a 3-1-0 record with a 1.97 GAA and .922 SV% lifetime against them.
Varlamov is 17-9-2 with a 2.96 GAA and .911 SV% against Dallas, making his last start against them on Nov. 19, 2022, letting in four goals on 34 shots in a loss. With Dallas boasting a high-flying offense headlined by Hintz, Robertson, Wyatt Johnston, and more, Varlamov will have a good test ahead of him following a loss in the opener.
WHO IS HOT:
Duclair and Tsyplakov each scored goals in their Islanders debuts. According to MSG’s Eric Hornick, Tsyplakov became the 22nd Islander to score in his NHL debut, most recently accomplished by Aatu Raty in 2022.
Two Islanders recorded multiple points in the season opener, with Duclair adding an assist on Horvat’s game-tying goal on Thursday. Dobson added a pair of assists.
Horvat had a knack for the big goal against the Stars last season. The forward scored a pair of overtime winners against Dallas last season, including on Jan. 21 when Patrick Roy won his debut as Islanders head coach.
OPPONENT NOTES:
Tyler Seguin leads active Stars in scoring against New York across the board. The forward has eight goals and 16 assists for 24 points in 26 games.
Logan Stankoven tallied three assists against the Predators on Thursday, it was the first time in his career he’s totaled three points in a game. The forward also recorded his first NHL goal and assist against the Islanders on Feb. 26.
Marchment had two goals on Thursday after having a career year last season. The forward had 22 goals and 31 assists for 54 points while appearing in all but one game for Dallas. Hintz also had two points in the opener, adding an assist.
QUOTABLE:
“It's going to be a big challenge. It's going to be good to go out as a team, get together and go to dinners together, and just get closer as a team. We got to bring our A-game, and we've been working hard during the camp to do that.” — Jean-Gabriel Pageau
“We’ll finally get some dinners together and stuff like that. First road trip is always a good time to get to know the guys a little bit better and hang out. That's how you build chemistry.” — Anthony Duclair
“Dallas won their first game. They're a really good hockey club, and they have a good mix of vets and younger guys. It’ll be interesting. I mean, we did play well against these guys last year and won two games in overtime, so hopefully, we’ll have another good game against these guys.” — Patrick Roy
Last game’s lines:
CHANGES:
Islanders Community Events & Calendar:
AT THE PARK:
Pregame Skating on Northwell Pond
Brand new UBS Hockey Games to Test Your Skills – Bullseye Battle, Accuracy Challenge and Hardest Shot
Heineken Beer Garden
American Express Igloo Garden hospitality area
Sparky and Nyisles appearances
Kids Zone games featuring the Slap Shot Booth, Double Overtime Obstacle Challenge, Center Ice Moon Bounce, Northwell Mini Golf and the all-foam Dunk Tank
Penalty Box Photo Moment
Isles Lab Swag Shack
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,
Dobson Mayfield Reilly and a shaky Peleck means we be are playing with two NHL quality D-men Pulock and Romanov.
Simply out classed! All the wishing in the world doesn’t make it so. Came to the conclusion Dobson is simply too soft physically and Mentally. Always loved the kid, but where is the development in the weight room, he just is not strong which would improve his confidence. Just about everyone improved with the exception of Canes in the conference. Conclusion that game was 6-0 or 8-0 without Varley