New York Islanders Recent Opening Night Performances
The New York Islanders are set for the puck to drop on the Regular Season. Friday night they’ll be hosting the Washington Capitals at the Nassau Coliseum.
The New York Islanders are coming off a surprising run to the second round last season. Now, of course, that means absolutely nothing as we’re set to begin the 2019-2020 season. As we get closer and closer to Friday, we can take a look back at the Islanders’ past three season openers.
Islanders @ Hurricanes: 10/04/2018
Last season’s opening night was a highly anticipated one. it ushered in a new era for the Isles as it was the first game with Barry Trotz at the helm. Valtteri Filppula scored the Islanders’ first goal and gave them a second-period lead.
The Hurricanes tied the game late in the third period, Jordan Staal got the Canes on the board with an empty-net goal. Thomas Greiss saw 46 shots come his way that night, the Staal goal was the only shot that got passed him.
Josh Bailey won the game 43 seconds into overtime, kicking the Barry Trotz era off with a win.
New York Islanders @ Blue Jackets: 10/07/2017
Another highly anticipated opening night. This one would begin Doug Weight‘s first full season as Isles head coach. Weight took over for Jack Capuano midway through the 2016-2017 season.
The game got off to an ominous start when Sonny Milano scored just over a minute into the season. That goal would be enough to win the game for Columbus, but they added a few more for good measure.
Columbus won 5-0, starting 2017 off with an infamous “Dougie Blowout”. Thomas Greiss was again the opening night starter but allowed the five goals on 26 shots. It was the beginning of the Islanders defensive woes as they gave up a league-leading 296 goals.
New York Islanders @ New York Rangers: 10/13/2016
The Islanders were coming off a season in which they advanced to the second round for the first time in 23 years. What better way to start off the season than with a rivalry game? Michael Grabner got the Rangers on the board in the first.
Mats Zuccarello extended the Rangers lead to two in the second period. The third period was action-packed. Nick Leddy got the Isles on the board less than a minute into the period, and Cal Clutterbuck tied it up three minutes later.
The Rangers would score the next three goals, and after a late Brock Nelson goal, the Isles lost 5-3. Jaroslav Halak was the starter that night. The Isles were again outshot 38 to 28.
The last three seasons, the Islanders have had three different head coaches on Opening Night. Under those three they sit at 1-2-0. Trotz was the winning coach, and luckily he is still at the helm.