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NY Islanders close out season at home against the Metro Division champion Hurricanes

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Jan 25, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) plays the puck against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Jan 25, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) plays the puck against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) during the third period at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images | Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The New York Islanders will close out the 2025-26 season Tuesday night at UBS Arena, hosting the Carolina Hurricanes in a finale that arrives without playoff implications but not without meaning.

The Islanders (42-32-5) were officially eliminated from postseason contention following Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, marking the second straight year the club will miss the playoffs. Casey Cizikas scored the lone goal in that game, while Ilya Sorokin made 18 saves.

Though the standings are settled, individual milestones and evaluation opportunities remain.

Defenseman Adam Pelech is expected to appear in his 82nd game, which would mark the first full season of his 10-year NHL career. He enters the night with 16 points, along with 124 blocked shots and 66 hits.

Meanwhile, rookie standout Matthew Schaefer will once again be in the spotlight. The 18-year-old enters the finale tied with Brian Leetch for the NHL record for goals by a rookie defenseman with 23. Schaefer also ranks second on the Islanders with 59 points, capping a season that has redefined expectations for a first-year player.

The Islanders are expected to roll out a similar lineup to Sunday, with Mathew Barzal centering a line with Brayden Schenn and Cal Ritchie, while Anders Lee and Bo Horvat headline the top unit.

Carolina (52-21-7) enters as one of the NHL’s top teams, having already clinched first place in the Metropolitan Division and the top seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite a 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday, the Hurricanes have been dominant, led by high-powered contributors like Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis.

The Hurricanes have also controlled the season series, winning both prior meetings and outshooting the Islanders 74-44 across those games.

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