Game Preview: Islanders vs Devils

NEW YORK ISLANDERS (0-1-0) HOST NEW JERSEY DEVILS (1-0-0) 

7:30 PM | UBS ARENA | BUY TICKETS

HOW TO WATCH/STREAM: MSGSN, MSG+ ON DAZN 

HOW TO LISTEN: 88.7FM WRHU | 103.9FM LI NEWS | 92.5FM THE BEACON | ISLES + UBS ARENA APP 

The New York Islanders are back at UBS Arena.  

The Isles host the New Jersey Devils in their home-opener on Saturday, Oct. 3.  

The Islanders are coming off a 2-1 loss in Toronto to open their season. Emil Heineman found the back of the net for the Isles' lone goal of the night.   

Jack Hughes delivered the game-winner in overtime in the Devils season-opener, to give New Jersey the 3-2 victory. Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton also scored in the win.  

The Islanders swept the season series from the Devils last season and are 7-0-1 in their last eight games against New Jersey overall.

PROJECTED LINEUP

See the Islanders lines from Friday's practice. Check back after morning skate to see if there are any line or lineup updates.

Emil Heineman – Bo Horvat – Kyle Palmieri
Simon Holmström – JG Pageau – Anthony Duclair
Victor Eklund – Cal Ritchie – Brayden Schenn
Ondřej Palát – Casey Cizikas – Matias Maccelli

Adam Pelech – Matthew Schaefer
Alexander Romanov – Ryan Pulock 
Logan Stanley – Tony DeAngelo 

Kyle MacLean, Matt Kessel and Scott Mayfield are the expected scratches.

DEBOER ON NEW LINES

"Just we're looking for chemistry on our lines," Islanders Head Coach Pete DeBoer said. "We're looking to see what clicks. We're going to keep trying things until we get some combinations that feel really good. I don't like to flip lines around, but I think that's on the line that's out there to make it easy when we put them together. Right now, I don't think it's any secret we haven't scored a lot five-on-five goals, even through exhibition, so we've got to find some combinations that work there."

Emil Heineman skated on the top line with Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri on Friday morning. During their first game of the season, the Isles elevated Heineman to the top line mid-game.

Simon Holmström was moved to the second line, reuniting with long-time linemate and penalty kill partner JG Pageau. Anthony Duclair rounds out the trio.

"I mean that's kind of the player I grew up with on this team, and I always know I have him out there, and it's a lot of fun," Holmström said on skating with Pageau.

Brayden Schenn, a 17-year NHL veteran, skated on a line with the Islanders' youngest forwards, Victor Eklund and Cal Ritchie during Friday’s practice.

SOROKIN TO START

Ilya Sorokin will start in goal for the Islanders, Head Coach Pete DeBoer confirmed on Friday. Sorokin stopped 24-of-26 shots against Toronto on Wednesday. Sorokin went 3-0-0 against the Devils last season with a 0.99 GAA, a .971 SV% and one shutout.

HOME SWEET HOME

The Isles return to UBS Arena, following a 22-17-2 home record last season.

"I think we're really excited," Brayden Schenn said on playing in front of the home crowd. "First one on the road and come back and get to play in front of fans, I'm excited.  It's a chance for us to keep on building. We thought we did some good things in Toronto and get a chance to do it on home ice."

"Super excited," Simon Holmström said about the home-opener. "Something we've been waiting for all summer, and very excited to get things going tomorrow."

SCH"A"EFER

The 2026 Calder Memorial Trophy Winner, Matthew Schaefer, was named a home alternate captain this season. Saturday's game will be the first time Schaefer dawns the "A."

At just 19 years old, Schaefer is the youngest Islander in franchise history to wear a letter. Schaefer had a stellar rookie season, recording 59 points (23G,36A) en route to a unanimous Calder Trophy.

"He's [Schaefer] worth the price of admission," DeBoer said. "If you're a hockey fan, this is a guy that's on the list of eight to 10 players in the world that are worth the price of coming to watch because they're that special."

DEVILS OFFSEASON CHANGES

Starting with naming Sunny Mehta the team’s new General Manager, the Devils had a busy offseason. Their acquisitions included trading for Luke Evangelista, who tallied an assist in the season-opener. Evangelista has tallied 143 points (45G,98A) across 254 games.

New Jersey also signed Anthony Mantha as a free agent. Mantha scored a career-high 33 goals last season for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Devils dealt goaltender Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a package that included Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves. Rodrigues has recorded 270 points (107G,163A) across 617 career games.

New Jersey also dealt defenseman – and 2022 second-overall pick – Simon Nemec to Calgary for picks.

New Jersey also signed captain Nico Hischier to a five-year extension worth $58.5 million this past offseason. Hischier logged 66 points (28G, 38A) in his 2025-26 campaign.