New York Islanders Begin Preseason with Nassau Coliseum Homecoming

The New York Islanders will face-off with the Philadelphia Flyers at 1:00 pm on Sunday. Not only is it their first preseason game, but will also be played in their first home; the Nassau Coliseum.

It’s a very exciting feeling that after a long offseason, I finally get to write about an upcoming New York Islanders game! Usually, any excitement coming from a preseason opener is simply because hockey is back, but this game adds some extra flair.

The New York Islanders will be playing the game in the Nassau Coliseum, or NYCB Live as it’s now known. With all the drama surrounding the Isles’ arena situation, it will be nice to head back to the place the Isles called home from 1972-2015.

Fans will have another chance to make attending the game more of an event. Unfortunately, at the Barclay’s Center, there is no tailgating. Fans basically just have to show up for the game and that’s it. At the Coliseum, however,  fans can show up early and begin tailgating to start off game day.

Even Players are Excited

Cal Clutterbuck proved that even veterans are excited to begin the preseason.

Both John Tavares and Jordan Eberle have been confirmed as part of the roster for the event. Again, something you don’t normally see for a pre-season opener. Superstar players.

OK, Eberle isn’t a superstar. But getting him some reps with JT on day one is massively important for the team.

Obviously, this won’t be like any other preseason game. Sunday’s game is going to be a unique game. Not often does a team change arenas, and then travel back to play to play in its old home for a day. The last game the Islanders played in the now NYCB Live, was Game 6 against the Capitals back in 2015.

The Coliseum has hosted its share of big games over time. While this game will not matter come the regular season, it will be a memorable day for the fans that come out. It’ll be Islander fans first chance to see Jordan Eberle play with John Tavares, but most fans are excited to go back to the old barn.

Look at any New York Islanders Facebook fan group and you’ll see it littered with fans genuinely excited to be back at the old barn. Pictures of the NYCB from hotel rooms, or exclamation mark-filled posts declaring their excitement. It’s all building towards the crescendo that will be the opening faceoff.

Next: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly: Jason Chimera

The best thing about Sunday’s game is that it means one thing, hockey is back! Buckle up and prepare yourselves for the ride this 2017-2018 season is about to become.