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Eyes On Isles
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NY Islanders face tough test in Dallas as head coach Pete DeBoer faces former team

ByJiggs Westfall
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Nov 18, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (18) skates with the puck past New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Nov 18, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Sam Steel (18) skates with the puck past New York Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer (48) during the second period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Islanders (3-0-2 in their last five) open a three-game Western Conference road trip against a Stars team riding a four-game winning streak. And if you're looking for goals, this might not be your game.

Dallas leads the NHL in goals allowed per game (1.60), while the Islanders rank third (2.20). With Ilya Sorokin and Jake Oettinger expected between the pipes, this has all the makings of a tight, low-scoring affair.

But there's more to this matchup than defense.

For Islanders head coach Pete DeBoer, it's a return to the building where he coached Dallas from 2022-25, compiling a 149-68-29 record.

"Your first game back is always a little special," DeBoer acknowledged, though he insisted his focus remains squarely on the Islanders. "You know a lot of people you spent a lot of time with and worked with and players. It was a great chapter in my coaching career, but I'm now coaching the Islanders and focused on that. So, it'll be nice to go back, but not spending a lot of time on it."

Meanwhile, the Isles' youngsters continue giving fans reasons to get excited.

Matthew Schaefer scored his first goal of the season Thursday against Los Angeles, tying Bobby Orr for the second-most career goals by a teenage defenseman in NHL history with 24. The 19-year-old has nine points through 10 games.

Victor Eklund has goals in consecutive games and is proving there's plenty of toughness packed into his 5-foot-11 frame. The Islanders will need both youngsters contributing against a Dallas offense led by Mikko Rantanen (13 points) and Jason Robertson (11).

And let's not forget Sorokin, whose 1.71 goals-against average and .934 save percentage have been instrumental in the Islanders' recent turnaround.

Thursday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Kings showed the Islanders can battle back from adversity. Sunday offers a chance to prove their five-game point streak isn't just a nice October story.

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