While it’s not the NHL’s official Opening Night, a semblance of spotlight will still follow the Islanders to Toronto on Sept. 30.
That’ll serve as their season opener and the beginning of Peter DeBoer’s first full season as head coach, but it also doubles as the first showdown of the last two No. 1 overall picks, with defenseman Matthew Schaefer (2025) facing Gavin McKenna (2026) in the second game of McKenna’s career.
Schaefer — a Hamilton, Ontario, native — will return to the NHL city closest to his hometown after having an estimated 1,000 people in attendance for the Islanders’ lone Toronto game last year. The Islanders will return to Scotiabank Arena again less than three weeks later on Oct. 17.
Three days after the season begins, the Islanders will host the Devils in their UBS Arena opener, according to the 84-game slate released Thursday. Here are some additional takeaways from the schedule.
