The New York Islanders are kicking off their 2026-27 season tonight in Toronto with a “we’ll show the doubters” fire in their belly, and their management is already dropping some interesting takes. Just before puck drop, Mathieu Darche flat out said that 38-year-old Semyon Varlamov’s surgically repaired knees don’t need to be monitored. Seriously, not monitored. That’s a huge statement about their confidence in the veteran netminder as they face off against a Maple Leafs squad that already dropped their opener last night to rivals from Quebec.
“Bubble Team” Mentality Fueling the Islanders’ Push
It’s no secret very few folks expect the Islanders to be more than a bubble team this season, so that “we’ll show the doubters” energy is going to be crucial. Ilya Sorokin gets the start in goal, which makes sense, but having Varlamov apparently good to go for the full haul, without constant check-ins on those knees, is either incredibly brave or incredibly misguided. You gotta hope it’s the former, because if he can be a reliable backup, that’s massive for their season. The team is trying to project confidence, and they’ll need every ounce of it starting tonight.
First Overall Showdown and the Opening Night Lines
On the ice, the Islanders are rolling out some interesting lines. Up front, you’ll see Holmstrom-Horvat-Palmieri, Maccelli-Ritchie-Schenn, Eklund-Pageau-Heineman, and Palat-Cizikas-Duclair. Kyle MacLean is the extra forward from the morning skate. On D, it’s Pelech-Schaefer, Romanov-Pulock, and Stanley-DeAngelo. Scott Mayfield and Matt Kessel are the defensive scratches, which is a bit of a shake-up for opening night. The power play units are set with Schaefer, Maccelli-Horvat-Schenn, Palmieri, DeAngelo, Eklund-Ritchie-Holmstrom, and Duclair.
But the real spice? We’re getting a historic first-overall pick showdown. Matthew Schaefer, the 2025 #1 pick, and Gavin McKenna, the 2026 #1 pick, are facing each other for the first time in their careers. That’s a matchup to watch all night! Plus, this game itself is a bit of history: it’s a rare Islanders opener in Canada, and it’s their first-ever season opener in September. Talk about starting the year with a bang!
It’s going to be a fascinating opener in Toronto. Can the Islanders prove their management right about Varlamov’s health and start showing the league they’re more than just a bubble team? The puck drops tonight, and we’re about to find out exactly what this squad is made of.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Lighthouse Hockey.
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