Get ready Islander fans, it all starts tonight in Columbus against the division rival Blue Jackets.
This list will help tide you over until puck drop, but also get you psyched for a hockey filled weekend!
And, don’t miss full coverage beginning tonight at 6:30 PM on MSG+ & MSG GO!
The Islanders are 11-22-11 on Opening Night, including a 9-18-8 record on the road. However, they are 2-1-1 over the last four years. Fingers crossed for tonight!
Eighteen of the 23 players on the roster were on New York’s opening night roster last season. The five newcomers are Jordan Eberle, Adam Pelech, Josh Ho-Sang, Scott Mayfield and Ryan Pulock. Let’s get it done tonight!
Captain John Tavares enters his ninth season with the Isles and already ranks within the top-10 in franchise history in goals (8th), assists (10th) and points (9th.) And, we know he’ll keep climbing those ranks this season.
Doug Weight begins his first full season behind the bench for the Islanders. After being given the reigns on January 19, 2017, the Islanders went 24-12-4 (52 points), which was good for second best in the NHL during that stretch.
The Islanders have three rookies on their roster, Mathew Barzal, Ryan Pulock and Josh Ho-Sang, all with aspirations for the Calder Trophy. Though they have all made their NHL debuts, they’re all still considered rookies since they have yet to play 25 games in the NHL. Ho-Sang has been the most productive at the NHL level, recording four goals and six assists in 21 games last season, but is not in the lineup for tonight’s tilt.
Jordan Eberle will make his Islanders debut after being acquired from Edmonton in the offseason, where he spent the first seven years of his career. Eberle has scored at least 20 goals in each of the past four seasons and tallied a career-high 34 during the 2011-12 season. Don’t you think playing with Tavares will assure he makes it five straight seasons!?!
At 38-years-old, Jason Chimera is the oldest player on the roster. However, he is also the most durable as he is set to appear in his 189th consecutive game tonight. Fun fact alert: he has the longest current streak on the team!