As UBS Arena gets set for postseason hockey; a look back at first home playoff games

The NY Islanders will look to create new memories in their new building later tonight and christen UBS Arena with a playoff atmosphere and performance that would make the Old Barn proud.

“It’ll be emotional. It’ll be a lot of fun,”Kyle Palmieri said on Thursday. “It’s gonna be loud; a lot of guys are still here from the run from a couple years ago. We’re looking forward to it, getting back in front of our fans, and I know fans are looking forward to it, too.”

If you look at box scores, UBS Arena will be the fifth "home" venue for the Islanders in a playoff game as they technically played home games in the Toronto and Edmonton bubbles during the Stanley Cup Playoffs in August and September of that COVID-19 impacted season.

"I think it means a lot; it's a pretty cool thing that's going to happen, said head coach Lane Lambert about playing the first postseason game at UBS Arena. "There have been some amazing playoff games in the other building, and this is going to be the first one of many."

Before the new memories are created starting tonight, here's a look back at two first playoff games at the Islanders' home arenas and one first game back at one of their old ones.