Three Biggest Keys for the Islanders in 2026-27:

It is no secret the New York Islanders enter the 2026-27 season looking to exceed modest expectations and return to playoff contention. But for the Islanders to reach the playoffs for the first time in two seasons, a lot will have to go right for a team whose roster is inevitably inferior to rivaling Metropolitan Division foes. Here are my three keys for the Islanders to return to the postseason.

1. Mat Barzal needs to stay healthy.

Mat Barzal had missed 76 regular-season games due to injury since the start of the 2022-23 season entering last year. Barzal recovered from his knee injury from February of 2025 for a terrific season, appearing in 81 games. However, Barzal’s knee flared up over this past summer, and he has yet to skate this preseason and will miss opening night. This is doomsday for the Islanders. Barzal has led or tied for the team lead in points in seven of nine seasons since 2017-18. Pete DeBoer said he isn’t worried about Barzal and expects him back soon, but keeping Barzal on the ice will now be the key. Barzal frequently took maintenance days to rehab his knee during last season. You’d figure this would be the same procedure this season. Barzal isn’t getting any younger, and that left knee has already been surgically operated on now. The Islanders will start the season without No. 13 and simply won’t have success without Barzal as a regular in the lineup. His health will be the biggest X-factor for the Islanders all season long.

2. Protect and Defend Ilya Sorokin

Ilya Sorokin is a top-three goaltender in the world, and when the Islanders are able to defend in front of him, he is a pure game-stealer. He has appeared in 60 games in two of the last four seasons and in at least 54 games over that stretch. His best ability has been his availability, logging stretches of a dozen starts consecutively. A year ago, Sorokin made 452 high-danger saves — most in the NHL. His 86.4% high-danger save percentage also led the league. Spencer Knight of the Chicago Blackhawks finished second with 432 high-danger saves in 2025-26 — 20 fewer than Sorokin’s 452. The Islanders finished with 19 more points than the Hawks. Ilya Sorokin’s game covered up the flaws of Patrick Roy’s defensive scheme, and he could only save the Islanders’ season for so long. Under Pete DeBoer, the Islanders are bound to be better defensively. If they can protect Sorokin, he will bring them shutouts.

#3. Let The Kids Play

The Islanders are the ninth-oldest team in the NHL entering this season. With old core players like J-G Pageau, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, Kyle Palmieri and Casey Cizikas all being 32 or older, there is a definite need for a youth movement within. With that being said, the Islanders have multiple players under the age of 25 who need to see increased ice time this season. Rookie Victor Eklund will be in the opening-night lineup, and Cal Ritchie will play in the top six to begin the season. The Islanders need to prioritize growth and patience with these players, as they will produce. The same goes for Simon Holmstrom, who needs to have a commanding scoring season to earn his long-term extension. Cole Eiserman is bound to see NHL ice at some point this season, as well as defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. The sooner, the better for the future of the club.

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