Mathew Barzal and Islanders 2025–26 schedule breakdown
originally appeared on The Sporting News
The New York Islanders are looking forward to the start of their 2025-26 season
The path for New York is busy early, road-heavy in the middle, and home-friendly down the stretch. Here’s the clean, schedule-first look fans wanted.
October: opening split and early Metro tests
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Oct 9: Season opener at Pittsburgh.
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Oct 11–13: UBS debut vs Washington, matinee vs Winnipeg.
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Five of the last seven games are on the road, including at Boston (Oct 28) and at Carolina (Oct 30).
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First rivalry trip hits Philadelphia (Oct 25), Boston (Oct 28), Carolina (Oct 30), Washington (Oct 31) in a tight, travel-heavy run.
November: longest road swing, then home comfort
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Start with a three-game homestand (Columbus Nov 2, Boston Nov 4, Minnesota Nov 7).
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A demanding five-game Western road trip: at Vegas (Nov 13), Utah (Nov 14), Colorado (Nov 16), Dallas (Nov 18), Detroit (Nov 20).
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Return for a pivotal home block before U.S. Thanksgiving: St. Louis (Nov 22), Seattle (Nov 23), Boston (Nov 26), Philadelphia (Nov 28), Washington (Nov 30).
MORE: The Journey begins again: Penguins face fire, ice, and destiny in 2025–26
December: holiday hockey and Coastal hops
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Quality Eastern tests at UBS: Tampa Bay (Dec 2), Colorado (Dec 4), Vegas (Dec 9), Anaheim (Dec 11), Tampa Bay matinee (Dec 13).
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Quick road pair to Florida: at Lightning (Dec 6), at Panthers (Dec 7).
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Festive stretch: New Jersey (Dec 23), rivalry vs Rangers (Dec 27), then at Columbus (Dec 28) and at Chicago (Dec 30).
January: New Year at home, then Pacific push
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Jan 1: Holiday matinee vs Utah.
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Jan 3: Marquee vs Toronto.
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A six-game, eight-day Western swing: at Nashville (Jan 8), Minnesota (Jan 10), Winnipeg (Jan 13), Edmonton (Jan 15), Calgary (Jan 17), Vancouver (Jan 19).
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Cap the month with TV-spotlight dates: vs Rangers (Jan 28), then at Rangers (Jan 29), followed by vs Nashville (Jan 31).
February: short slate before Olympic Pause
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Quick Mid-Atlantic run: at Washington (Feb 2), vs Pittsburgh on TNT (Feb 3), at New Jersey (Feb 5).
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Light schedule resumes Feb 26 at Montreal and Feb 28 at Columbus to re-ramp before the stretch drive.
March: long miles, playoff pace
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Pacific trip: at Anaheim (Mar 4), at Los Angeles (Mar 5), at San Jose (Mar 7).
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Central visit and TNT tilt: at St. Louis (Mar 10).
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Important home cluster at UBS: vs Kings (Mar 13), Calgary (Mar 14), Columbus (Mar 22), Chicago (Mar 24), Dallas (Mar 26), Florida matinee (Mar 28), Pittsburgh (Mar 30).
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One-day dash to Buffalo closes the month (Mar 31).
April: home-heavy finish at UBS
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Four of the final six are on Long Island: Philadelphia (Apr 3), Toronto (Apr 9), Ottawa matinee (Apr 11), Montreal (Apr 12), Carolina (Apr 14) with only at Carolina (Apr 4) in the first week.
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The layout favors a late push, with three straight at home to close the year.
Key dates to circle
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Home opener: Oct 11 vs Washington.
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Rivalry spotlight: Dec 27 vs Rangers; national TV Jan 28 vs Rangers.
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Western grinder: Nov 13–20 five-game trip; Jan 8–21 six-game trip.
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Holiday games at UBS: Nov 28 vs Philadelphia, Jan 1 vs Utah.
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Closing kick: Apr 9 vs Toronto, Apr 11 vs Ottawa, Apr 12 vs Montreal, Apr 14 vs Carolina.
MORE NHL News:
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