Islanders will be happy to return home to Barclays Center

DALLAS — To no one’s surprise, the Islanders’ first season in Brooklyn has been a huge logistical adjustment for both players and fans.

But home it is, and the Islanders have been very good at Barclays Center, where they are 21-8-4 and have not lost in regulation time since ... Jan. 25!

Plus, for all of the team bonding that comes with being on the road, one’s own place of residence and own family do have their attractions.

So it was this weekend that as the Islanders finally wrapped up a stretch of 12 road games out of 14, they very much anticipated returning to Long Island, Brooklyn and the East Coast in general.

“I think everybody is kind of looking forward to getting home,” Kyle Okposo said. “It’s been a long month. We had a long trip and came back and didn’t really have many games at home.

“Twelve of 14, that’s a tough stretch for anybody, especially at this time of the year when your body is worn down. We’re looking forward to getting home and sleeping in our own bed.”

After Saturday night’s game against the Stars here, they are through with the Western Conference — at least until the Stanley Cup Final — and through with other time zones.

Of their 12 remaining regular-season games, eight are at Barclays and one is at Madison Square Garden against the Rangers. The only significant travel left is a swing to Tampa and Carolina, but even those are a back-to-back quickie this coming weekend.

“It’s definitely better to be at home,” Brock Nelson said. “It’s a little more comfortable when you’re in your own routine and you know what’s going on around you. It’s a little bit different on the road. It’s nice to get away sometimes and be with the guys, but always nice to be home.”

Most elite athletes grew accustomed to being away from home for long stretches dating to their early teenage years, if not before. And there are benefits.

The team had an off day in Nashville Wednesday and many players took advantage, taking in the scene there in groups.

“Anytime you’re on the road you’re with the team and on days off obviously there’s not a whole lot to do,” John Tavares said. “So we spend a lot of it together, and that’s times we chat and you get to know one another and develop those strong relationships and friendships, the camaraderie among this team.

“You always enjoy being on the road because it’s some of your fondest memories, just the process of what it takes to be a successful team.”

True, within reason. Now there will at least be some time to catch up on mail and water the house plants.

“For sure, it’s going to be nice,” Frans Nielsen said. “You always are more comfortable playing at home.”

The Islanders would love to finish second in the Metropolitan Division and secure home-ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs — probably against the Rangers.

They believe they would have beaten the Capitals last year had Game 7 of the first round been at Nassau Coliseum.

Now they can focus on earning home ice by winning on home ice.

“Obviously we were home most of January so we knew this was going to happen,” Matt Martin said. “Every team goes through those. It’s that time of year where it really is a grind, home or away, it doesn’t really matter. They’re just tough games that you need to win.”

Said Anders Lee, “It definitely gets you a little bit, but it’s hockey and every team goes through stretches like this. There’s no excuses. It’s a part of the season where it’s a little bit of the dog days, but it’s exciting.”

By Neil Best

neil.best@newsday.com@sportswatch

Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.