We’re all waiting for the New York Islanders to reveal what they’ve done during the offseason. So like everyone else I’ve started looking at next year’s schedule to get a sense of how the year might go (and to give myself something Isles-related to do while I wait).
And well, there’s a one-week period that’s going to be absolutely bananas for the Islanders and their fan base. And it all kicks off on November 15.
A crazy week in November for New York Islanders
We know that the Islanders will start the year on the road with a franchise-record 13 game road trip. On the before last game of that road trip, the Isles head to Tampa to face off against the Tampa Bay Lightning for the first time since being eliminated in Game 7.
It should be a big game with two of the Easts top teams trying to put a line in the sand on who is the better team.
And the foot doesn’t come off the gas for the schedule after that.
Just five days (and one game) later the Islanders play their first home game of the regular season against the Calgary Flames. A game that will be the first time the Islanders play at their brand new state-of-the-art hockey-first home; UBS Arena.
It’s a Saturday game that should see the Isles faithful, who will get their first chance to christen their new building. You know it’s going to be loud and it’s going to be emotional.
The next day the Toronto Maple Leafs come to town. That’s right the next day Tavares and his band of Leafs travel to Long Island. It’s been a few years now since Tavares left, so you’d think this wouldn’t be a big deal, but you and I both know it will be.
Oh! And two days later it’s the Rangers that make the long trip from Manhattan to Long Island for the first time on the season and get their first taste of the Isles new home.
So, to recap in the span of nine days the Islanders will:
- Face the Lightning for the first time since the playoffs (Nov.15)
- Open UBS Arena vs Calgary (Nov.20)
- Welcome the Leafs to UBS (Nov.21)
- Face the Rangers for the first time (Nov. 24)
That’s going to be one heck of a week for the Islanders and their fanbase. I can’t wait and I bet you can’t either. Now, if only we knew who’d be out on the ice for the Isles. Anytime, Lou.