What We Saw From Islanders In First Game Of Pete DeBoer Era
The Islanders showed clear structural and stylistic changes in their first game under Pete DeBoer, from improved defensive play to faster transitions and better puck support.
ELMONT, NY — Were the New York Islanders perfect in Pete DeBoer’s debut behind the bench?
No.
But they were significantly better in countless areas en route to a 5-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, keeping their season alive.
“There was just a lot of really good stuff,” DeBoer said. “We’ve been talking all week about playoff habits. You have to have them this time of year to give yourself a chance to get in the playoffs. And I thought they delivered on that. It wasn’t a perfect game, but I loved how fast we played. I loved some of the playoff habits we played with. We got contributions from everybody. It was a really solid start. A lot of things for us to build on.”
Here’s what I noticed as the DeBoer Era began and how it’s all connected on this Free Friday:
Defensive Zone Structure Growth
The biggest thing DeBoer had been working on this week was the team’s defensive-zone structure, and it was evident against Toronto.
The Islanders kept Toronto to the outside, got sticks in shooting lanes, won board battles, and, more importantly, the defensemen were able to find their man along the wall for quick breakouts.
DeBoer: “Our reloads and our back checking allowed our D to keep our gap against a really good team. They’ve got a lot of skill over there, and I thought we did it. We created a lot of offense off those reloads, and that gap, and it goes hand in hand. If our forwards are working, reloading, our D can have that comfort level to keep a gap against really skilled players.”
Forwards Opening Up
Once the Islanders’ defensemen made their initial pass, there were outlet options at a much higher rate than we’ve seen.
One of the things DeBoer was preaching in practice was for forwards to open up—face the defenseman or a low forward and show they were a real option, rather than just having their stick out.
Over the last few weeks, we’d seen passes hit guys in the neutral zone, but because they weren’t positioned properly, it turned into more of a “get a piece of it and get it deep” play instead of maintaining possession.
DeAngelo: “We were trying to play fast. You want to get to the puck up the ice as quickly as you can. I thought we did that really well tonight. The guys were hitting the weak side after our forwards. We’re coming back. The forwards did a really good job of being there for us. You want to play quickly, but if nobody’s there to pass to…so our forwards did a great job. They were back, they were in lanes, and then we were transitioning. I thought we transitioned really well with the puck. They weren’t just chipping it in. They were making plays and, I mean, we created god knows how many chances.”
Putting On The Pressure
Because the Islanders were able to break out cleanly and actually possess the puck, they spent far more time in the offensive zone—especially early.
They were up 3-0 on the shot count in the opening minute and continued to generate chances each shift. They outshot Toronto 44-16 after being outshot 40-16 in their loss to the Carolina Hurricanes.
DeBoer: “We played fast, and we were relentless. What was nice about it was that there was no indecision. That was my biggest fear, coming in with three days of practice and trying to change and tweak some things, and that it would slow us down. We’d be overthinking situations or systems, and, to our group’s credit, that never happened. I thought we played fast, and it looked like a seamless transition to some of the things we were trying to do.”
Crashing The Net
Because the Islanders were consistently on the attack, they established a cycle game and wore Toronto down.
Unlike Carolina, which fires from everywhere, the Islanders generated high-danger chances through movement and anticipation. Shots led to rebounds, and the Islanders were first to those loose pucks.
They finished with 44 shots on goal and 43 scoring chances—a strong ratio.
Running Four Lines
With consistent offensive pressure, DeBoer was able to roll his lines.
It started with the new-look fourth line, which opened the game and set the tone with its forecheck.
A Connected Power Play
The Islanders scored twice on the power play—one coming on a 5-on-3—and the puck movement stood out.
Emil Heineman’s goal from the bumper spot saw Mathew Barzal quickly get to his position in the left dot before a quick pass found No. 51 for a one-time finish.
Calum Ritchie’s power-play goal, also on the 5-on-3, was the result of a relentless effort. After a strong save in tight, Bo Horvat blocked a clearing attempt, and the puck floated near Ritchie, who knocked it out of mid-air.
The Brayden Schenn goal to open the scoring wasn’t technically a power-play goal, but it came during a 6-on-5 delayed penalty, with Horvat feeding Ritchie before he found Schenn at the back post.
DeAngelo: “We moved it pretty good. We had success in Toronto as well last time. I thought we picked up on that. We were in that shooting mentality. We got a good power play. I think maybe our best chance might have been the one shot that Schaefer took the one-timer on. We get the rebound from Bo. So we got to be in that shooting mentality. And fortunately, we’re able to get a couple tonight.”
Protecting Sorokin
Right from the start, you could tell Ilya Sorokin wasn’t quite himself.
Toronto’s first shot slipped through him, but Matthew Schaefer cleared it before it crossed the line. On the first goal against, Sorokin was bumped as the shot came in, which threw him off.
Still, the Islanders limited Toronto to just 16 shots—something they haven’t done often this season.
A few weeks ago—even last week—that likely would have been a loss. Not this time.
Schaefer: “He has had our back so much this year. If that’s what I can do, that’s what I can do. So, I saw it going in there and helped save him there….in the D zone, we were just closing quicker. We didn’t allow too many shots. So I think that helps. Sorokin can make all the big saves, but we’re not letting them pepper him all night long. And we can help him out a little bit there.”
The Bottom Line
It wasn’t perfect.
But it was faster, more structured, and more connected.
And with their season on the line, it was exactly what they needed.
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Toronto's second goal was a perfect example of what needs to be fixed. Neither defenseman looked at Knies screening Sorokin. Move him out of the way and that goal never happens.
There was another play later in the game where 3 Isles chased the Toronto puck carrier into the corner and left the slot open.
I don't expect these issues to be solved after a few practices, but if the Isles manage to make the playoffs, that's what they will need to focus on.
Schaefer really stood out for his defense this game. His save at the goal line and his perfectly timed stick sweep against Tavares were both impressive.