Islanders’ Season Finale Takes on Preseason Vibe as DeBoer Looks Ahead

In a season that has spiraled into disappointment, the New York Islanders prepare for their regular-season finale against the Carolina Hurricanes with a notable shift in focus. After being officially eliminated from playoff contention following a 4-1 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Pete DeBoer is using this opportunity to evaluate the future of the team. With the last game of the season on Tuesday, DeBoer expressed his intent to assess as many players as possible, hinting at a preseason-like atmosphere.

This approach may pave the way for Victor Eklund to make his NHL debut, following his pivotal role in helping the AHL Bridgeport clinch a playoff spot. However, the decision to call up the promising Swede remains uncertain. Isaiah George is expected to see action, and additional call-ups could also be on the horizon as the team looks to the future.

“I’ll have to talk to Mathieu [Darche] about roster and some things like that,” DeBoer acknowledged. “But for me, the more guys I can see in game action that are potentially part of this going forward, I think that’s important.”

DeBoer, who stepped into the role just over a week ago, finds himself in a challenging position, dealing with a team still reeling from its recent struggles. “I’m disappointed,” he admitted. “I know they were in a good spot a month ago, or coming out of the Olympic break, probably. A lot of work goes into that. I can only speak to the last seven days.”

He empathized with his players, who have endured significant upheaval, including the transition from one coach to another. “These guys have had a lot of stuff thrown at them. One coach left, a new coach came in. A lot of new stuff. So they’re wearing that a little bit and you feel for them. I can tell you I’m proud they didn’t quit. They played right to the buzzer tonight,” DeBoer remarked. Despite the challenges, he sees potential for growth. “We know we’ve got a lot of work to do here, but there’s a lot of good things too.”

Notably, Ondrej Palat was a healthy scratch, allowing Anthony Duclair to step into the lineup for just the second time in the last 11 games. Meanwhile, Ilya Sorokin continued his streak, starting his ninth consecutive game and appearing in 14 straight overall, a testament to his endurance and the team’s reliance on him.

As for Alexander Romanov, DeBoer has ruled out the possibility of his return from shoulder surgery during the regular season. Initially optimistic about Romanov’s chances of rejoining the team for the playoffs after his injury in mid-November, the coaching staff now anticipates he will not return until training camp, marking a significant setback for the Islanders.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.