NY Islanders open up 2026 with afternoon matchup against Utah Mammoth

The New York Islanders open the New Year at home on Thursday afternoon, hosting the Utah Mammoth at UBS Arena as they look to build on momentum from a tight road win to close out 2025.

The Islanders are coming off a 3-2 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday night, a result that capped a brief road trip and showcased their ability to grind out points. Bo Horvat scored in regulation and converted the decisive attempt in the shootout, while Cal Ritchie added the Islanders’ other goal. David Rittich stopped 17 of 19 shots and turned aside all three Chicago attempts in the tiebreaker.

Rittich is expected to start again if Ilya Sorokin remains sidelined with a lower-body injury. Sorokin has missed four consecutive games, and the Islanders did not practice Wednesday or hold a morning skate Thursday, leaving his status uncertain. Rittich has been steady throughout the season, posting a 10-4-2 record with a 2.27 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He has been particularly strong at UBS Arena, where he is 7-1-1 with a 1.86 GAA.

Horvat enters Thursday riding the high of being named to Team Canada for the 2026 Winter Olympic Games, an honor that followed a strong first half of the season. He leads the Islanders with 33 points, including 21 goals, and continues to anchor their top line.

Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer also remains a focal point after recording an assist Tuesday to reach 25 points on the season, making him the youngest defenseman in NHL history to hit that mark.

Utah arrives on a two-game losing streak, most recently falling 4-3 to Nashville. Clayton Keller leads the Mammoth with 33 points, while Dylan Guenther and Mikhail Sergachev have also contributed offensively. Utah has struggled recently, dropping four of its last six games, and will again be without several injured regulars as it looks to split the season series after a 3-2 overtime loss to the Islanders in November.