NY Islanders fans should tune in early for special national anthem on Saturday night

Fans heading to UBS Arena — or settling in at home — will want to tune in early for Saturday night’s Islanders–Rangers showdown. The rivalry always delivers once the puck drops, but this time, an unforgettable moment is scheduled to come before the opening faceoff.

The Islanders and Rangers will meet in each team's first game after the holiday break, with the Metro standings extremely close. Yet the spotlight will be on Floral Park native Dominick Critelli, a 104-year-old World War II veteran who will perform the national anthem live on his saxophone. It’s the kind of moment that transcends hockey — and one that deserves your full attention.

Critelli, who lives just minutes from UBS Arena, served in the U.S. Army during World War II and played a role in liberating France. Last year, he was knighted and awarded the French Legion of Honor — France’s highest military distinction — by Emmanuel Macron, during a ceremony attended by Joe Biden. At 104, Critelli remains sharp, healthy, and full of humor, casually noting he hopes to “make 105” when his birthday arrives in April.

Hockey, he says, is the only sport he truly loves. Music, though, has been his lifelong companion. He began playing at 13, later earned a music degree, and has performed on some of the biggest stages imaginable. UBS Arena isn’t new territory for him either — in 2023, he appeared there alongside world-renowned violinist Andre Rieu, and he also rang in the New Year at Times Square.

This isn’t a novelty act or a ceremonial checkbox. It’s a genuine, emotional intersection of history, music, community, and sport — all wrapped into one pregame moment. So yes, the Islanders–Rangers rivalry will roar as always. But on Saturday night, a loud applause will come before the game even begins, from fans wearing both sweaters.