Islanders hoping new home brings renewed energy and a way out of their slump
Head Barry Trotz of the Islanders watches his team during practice at UBS Arena on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021 in Elmont. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Opening UBS Arena will be one of the most significant moments in franchise history. But, strictly in hockey terms, the struggling Islanders are hoping their new, $1.1 billion home helps them improve their game.
The last-place Islanders (5-6-2) face the Flames on Saturday night, having lost four straight in regulation to end a 13-game road trip. They allowed at least four goals in each of those defeats, the longest such streak since Barry Trotz became coach.
Plus, captain Anders Lee, Josh Bailey and Ross Johnston are all in COVID-19 protocol.
"Hopefully, it gives us some energy right now," Trotz said of opening UBS Arena after Tuesday night’s 6-1 loss to the Panthers. "I don’t think you can go in our room and anybody feels really great about anything other than we got this road trip done. I’m hoping it’ll re-energize us and, hopefully, get our game in order."
Saturday opens a four-game homestand for the Islanders — the Maple Leafs and ex-captain John Tavares are in town on Sunday night — and 14 of their next 20 are at UBS Arena.
"We’re going to be so excited," Mathew Barzal said. "I think it’s all going to be channeled into our play and into our game. As a group, we’re excited to get in front of our fans after playing on the road for so long. It feels like we’re going to channel it in the right direction."
"It’s going to be exciting, there’s no doubt about it," Casey Cizikas said. "We’re excited to get back in front of our fans. We’re excited to get back on home ice. We’re looking forward to this right now."
UBS Arena will seat 17,250 for hockey, a little over 3,300 more than antiquated Nassau Coliseum. The Islanders also played at Barclays Center in Brooklyn from 2015-2020.
"The Coliseum served us well," Trotz said. "Barclays has served us well. The guys that have been part of this team the last four or five years, they built this. We’ve been a competitive team the last couple of years and we’ve got to continue to be a competitive team."
Trotz noted the first few games at UBS Arena may feel like neutral-site games since neither team will be overly familiar with the surroundings. The Islanders practiced there on Thursday but are still learning all the ins-and-outs of their new home.
Brock Nelson, asked what he was anticipating the most at UBS Arena, said, "Probably just the whole thing."
"It’s been a long time coming for the franchise and the fan base."
Notes & quotes: The Islanders’ pregame show on MSG Plus for Saturday’s UBS Arena opener will be expanded to one hour and include interviews with co-owner Jon Ledecky as well as Stanley Cup alumni Denis Potvin, Ken Morrow, Bobby Nystrom and John Tonelli …The Empire State Building will be lit in blue and orange on Saturday night to commemorate the arena’s first hockey game …The Islanders unveiled a 2021-22 season inaugural jersey patch to mark their first season at UBS Arena.
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
More Islanders
