The New York Islanders host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at UBS Arena for Pride Night, with the matchup bringing together two teams at very different points in their recent runs. It is the first meeting of the season between the Islanders and Ducks, and it opens a two-game stretch against Pacific Division opponents for New York this week.
The Islanders enter with points in three straight games and four of their last five contests, while the Ducks arrive on a three-game losing streak after a 4-1-0 start. That gives the game a straightforward edge on paper, but it also makes this a useful early-season test of whether New York can keep its momentum going while managing a short-handed lineup.
Islanders look to extend their run
New York’s recent form has been built on consistency, and that matters with a schedule that is about to tighten again. The Islanders beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1 on Oct. 17, then had to deal with the aftermath of Saturday’s game against Toronto, when Matias Maccelli and Cal Ritchie sustained lower-body injuries.
Those absences matter because they change the look of the lineup at a time when the Islanders are trying to stack results. Mitchell Chaffee was emergency recalled from Hamilton on Monday, another sign that the roster is being adjusted around the injuries rather than at full strength.
Will Ilya Sorokin get the start?
One of the clearest signs of how the Islanders are approaching this one came at Tuesday’s optional morning skate, when Ilya Sorokin was in the starter’s net. While that is not the final word before puck drop, it strongly suggests the Islanders are leaning on their goaltender to help keep the current run alive.
For a team looking to keep its points streak intact, having Sorokin set to begin in goal is a logical place to start. Against a Ducks side that has lost three straight, New York will want to control the game early and avoid giving Anaheim a chance to settle into a rhythm.
Anaheim arrive searching for a response
The Ducks come in after a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Monday, which made it three defeats in a row after that 4-1-0 start. That early burst gave Anaheim some momentum, but the last week has quickly reminded them how fragile form can be in the NHL.
That is why Tuesday’s visit to UBS Arena feels important for both sides. The Islanders want to protect their home ice and keep moving forward, while the Ducks are trying to stop their slide before it becomes a longer problem.
There is also a practical pressure point for New York: Thursday brings the Los Angeles Kings to UBS Arena, so this week offers the Islanders a chance to build a little head of steam against Western Conference opposition. If they handle Anaheim the right way, the Islanders will go into that next game with the kind of confidence that comes from winning before the bigger questions arrive.
