The Islanders finish their season-killing homestand by hosting a longtime nemesis, the Carolina Hurricanes, who have nothing to play for and every reason to rest with first place in the East locked up. That didn’t stop them from forcing the Flyers to a shootout last night before Philadelphia clinched the final playoff spot and set up a Battle of Pennsylvania in the first round.
I’m still processing my feelings — disappointment? low expectations ultimately met but via a mostly fun route? hope for offseason
improvements? — from how this season petered out, but we solved a lot of it in comments/group therapy yesterday so I think many of us are ready to start 2026-27, at least if we are given the reins to make the moves we know to be needed.
But there is still business to finish! Matthew Schaefer needs a goal tonight. I don’t care if they play him at forward like an early ‘80s Phil Housley, or if they set him up on the doorstep on the power play, or have him cherrypick like Daniel Briere — whatever they need to do, make this happen and give him exclusive possession of the NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman.
They probably get shut out though.
The final First Islanders Goal picks of the season go here. BIG thank you to Commenter69420 for managing this all season and keeping it going for you FIG-addicts.
Islanders News
Will we get news of a callup or even NHL debut today? (Victor Eklund is getting that, according to THN) Figure knowing one way or other after the morning skate.
And this won’t be answered today, but will it be Anders Lee’s final game as an Islander? (Doubtful, but possible.) Or any of the other longtime Islanders? (More likely.)
- This is actually a tough vote for Goal of the Year: the Palmieri Instant ACL Legend or the Schaefer Leaf-Slayer goal. [Isles]
- What an up and down season, ending with a thud that makes Dan and Mike feel pretty low. [Islanders Anxiety podcast]
- Talking to Islanders and Rangers about their memories of their rookie lap. [Newsday]
- Pete DeBoer says getting a few games with this team means he is “way ahead” of where he would be had he been hired sometime this summer. [Post]
- Prospect Report: Kashawn Aitcheson continues to accumulate points, Quinn Finley’s Wisconsin falls short, and a few others are still active in the CHL playoffs. [Isles]
- The Islanders, Devils and Rangers have made history: This is the first time all three have missed the playoffs. [Post]
Elsewhere
Lots of games and additional clinchings last night. Though the Isles are done, there are actually two more days of games after tonight.
- Matt Moulson’s brother-in-law calls it quits at 40, finishes with a loss as a Ranger, following a long tradition of former greats going to the Smurfs to kill off their career. [ESPN]
- The Stars have a guy named Mavrik Bourque and he just got a hat trick. [Sportsnet]
- Here’s all the roster turnover Kyle Dubas did to get the Penguins one last playoff appearance before the tanks roll in. [Sportsnet]
