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Eyes On Isles
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NY Islanders aim to continue dominance over Devils in home opener at UBS Arena

ByJiggs Westfall
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Jan 6, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) defends against New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Jan 6, 2026; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) defends against New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes (86) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders are back at UBS Arena on Saturday night, hoping a return home and some reshuffled forward lines can help generate the offense that was missing in their season opener.

The Islanders fell 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday, with Emil Heineman scoring their lone goal. Now they'll face a New Jersey Devils team they swept last season and have dominated recently, posting a 7-0-1 record in their last eight meetings.

But Pete DeBoer has a more immediate concern than extending that streak.

Scoring goals.

The Islanders struggled to generate offense throughout the preseason, and Wednesday offered little evidence that those problems have disappeared. With Mathew Barzal still sidelined, DeBoer is experimenting with combinations to find something that works.

Heineman practiced alongside Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri on Friday, while Simon Holmström reunited with Jean-Gabriel Pageau. Perhaps the most interesting combination features 17-year veteran Brayden Schenn skating alongside youngsters Victor Eklund and Cal Ritchie.

"We're looking for chemistry on our lines," DeBoer said. "We're looking to see what clicks."

Fortunately, the Islanders have a favorable recent history against New Jersey and a goaltender who has given the Devils fits.

Ilya Sorokin will start after stopping 24 of 26 shots against Toronto. He went 3-0-0 against New Jersey last season, posting a remarkable 0.99 goals-against average and .971 save percentage.

There's also another reason Saturday should be special.

Matthew Schaefer will wear an alternate captain's "A" for the first time, becoming the youngest player in Islanders history to wear a letter.

DeBoer recently described Schaefer as one of the few players in hockey worth the price of admission. "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."

Islanders fans certainly agree.

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