islanders enter Wednesday night at the start of a four-game road trip, facing the Anaheim Ducks at 10: 00 p. m. ET with a chance to extend what has already become their season-high winning stretch. The matchup also arrives with meaningful scoreboard implications in the Metropolitan Division and several lineup questions still in motion.
What happens when the Islanders chase another streak-extending win on the road?
The game in Anaheim is the first stop on a four-game trip, with New York coming in at 35-21-5 and Anaheim at 33-24-3. New York has been pushing for a sixth straight win, and the club’s last three victories have shared a defining trait: each one included a comeback from a 2-0 deficit.
The most recent example came Sunday night in a 5-4 win over the Florida Panthers, when Matthew Schaefer (2G, 1A), Carson Soucy, and Bo Horvat scored to keep the team within reach before Anders Lee delivered the go-ahead goal in the final minute. David Rittich earned his second win in his last three starts, stopping 29 of 33 shots.
In the standings, New York sits third in the Metropolitan Division with 75 points, tied with the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins at 75 points, with Pittsburgh holding one game in hand. The situation can tighten quickly: a win in Anaheim would move New York ahead of Pittsburgh for sole possession of second place, following Pittsburgh’s 2-1 regulation loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night.
What if the playoff race swings on Wednesday’s results around the division?
Beyond the immediate head-to-head in Anaheim, Wednesday’s game carries weight because of what unfolded Tuesday. Washington dropped a 3-2 game to the Utah Mammoth, and an Islanders win would widen the gap between New York and Washington to seven points. After Wednesday’s contest, New York will also hold a game in hand on Washington.
There is also pressure from behind. The Columbus Blue Jackets, after an overtime win against the New York Rangers (5-4) and a win against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night, sit five points back of New York with a game in hand before Wednesday.
Where Anaheim fits: the Ducks enter with a 33-24-3 record. The teams have already met earlier in the season, a 5-2 New York win that featured Rittich making 31 saves on 33 shots. Anders Lee scored twice in the previous meeting with the Ducks in December.
What happens when lineup and goaltending decisions shape the matchup?
Head Coach Patrick Roy confirmed David Rittich will start for the second straight game against the Ducks. New York’s plan for the back-to-back is also set: Ilya Sorokin will start Thursday against the LA Kings.
Tuesday’s practice in Anaheim offered a snapshot of the lines, with a note of caution that changes could still come after the morning skate:
Ondrej Palat – Bo Horvat – Mathew Barzal
Anthony Duclair – Cal Ritchie – Emil Heineman
Anders Lee – JG Pageau – Simon Holmstrom
Kyle MacLean – Casey Cizikas – Marc Gatcomb
Matthew Schaefer – Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech – Tony DeAngelo
Carson Soucy – Adam Boqvist
Health and availability remain part of the story. Jonathan Drouin joined the team on the ice at its first practice in Anaheim on Tuesday after missing Sunday’s game with a lower-body injury. In his first season with New York, Drouin has 20 points (3G, 17A) in 53 games.
Ryan Pulock (maintenance) missed practice Tuesday. With Pulock out, Scott Mayfield moved up to skate alongside Matthew Schaefer, while Adam Boqvist skated with Carson Soucy. Pulock had an assist in Sunday’s win and is one goal away from tying Kenny Jonsson for the third most goals by a defenseman in franchise history.
Lee is also tracking notable benchmarks. His late winner Sunday pushed him to 303 career goals with the franchise, one away from tying Clark Gillies for fourth-most in team history.
| Key game elements (as of Tuesday practice) | What’s set | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule context | First game of a four-game road trip | Back-to-back continues Thursday vs. LA Kings |
| Goaltending | David Rittich starts Wednesday; Ilya Sorokin starts Thursday | Rittich’s second straight start vs. Anaheim |
| Lineup health | Jonathan Drouin returned to practice after lower-body injury | Ryan Pulock missed practice (maintenance) |
| Standings pressure | New York: 75 points, tied with Pittsburgh | A win can move New York into sole possession of second in the division |
For New York, the short-term goal is clear: keep the streak alive and turn a strong stretch into standings leverage. The longer lens is still in frame as well, with the club looking to bolster its top six ahead of Friday’s 2026 NHL Trade deadline. The team has had serious talks with the Vancouver Canucks regarding right winger Conor Garland, and remains believed to be in talks with the St. Louis Blues regarding Jordan Kyrou and Robert Thomas.
Wednesday at 10: 00 p. m. ET is the next test of whether the islanders can keep climbing while the division race tightens.
