Quick facts and notes to get you ready for NY Islanders opening night vs. Penguins

The New York Islanders begin their 53rd season on Thursday night when they visit the Pittsburgh Penguins — their only trip to PPG Paints Arena this season. The matchup features two clubs with plenty of familiarity: the Isles went 3-1-0 against Pittsburgh last season (1-1-0 on the road) and are 9-3-0 against the Penguins over the last three years.

The night will mark a major milestone for the organization as 18-year-old Matthew Schaefer, the first-overall pick in this year’s draft, makes his NHL debut — fittingly against Sidney Crosby, the same opponent who faced former top Isles pick John Tavares in his first game back in 2009.

With a tip of the cap to Isles statistician Eric Hornick and The Skinny, here are some interesting notes and facts about the Islanders heading into opening night.

Opening Night History

Historically, Opening Night has not been kind to the Islanders. They’re 14-26-11 all-time to start a season (.385 points percentage), including 11-20-8 on the road and just 3-6-4 at home. Only four teams — all Original Six franchises — have opened more seasons away from home. Over the last nine years, New York is 3-5-1, and just 6-12-4 in their last 22 openers.

Thursday will be the third time the Isles have faced the Penguins on Opening Night; Pittsburgh earned 4-3 victories at Nassau Coliseum in both 1998 (regulation) and 2009 (shootout). The Isles have never before opened their road schedule in Pittsburgh.

Head coach Patrick Roy, entering his first full season behind the bench, is 0-0-1 in Opening Nights with the Isles and went 1-2-0 in three openers during his time in Colorado.

Stats & Streaks

The Islanders have been involved in five Opening-Night shutouts. Chico Resch blanked Philadelphia in 1976, while Semyon Varlamov did the same to the Rangers in 2021. On the flip side, the Isles were shut out by the Kings (1996), Panthers (2011), and Blue Jackets (2017).

The club’s fastest goal to start a season came from Dave Scatchard, who scored 1:01 into the opener on Oct. 10, 2002, in Buffalo. Anders Lee — who netted two goals on Opening Night in 2021 — is the only current Islander to have recorded a multi-goal performance in a season opener.

Now, the puck drops on a new era — one featuring youth, optimism, and an 18-year-old defenseman looking to make his mark under the bright lights of Pittsburgh.