Islanders regular-season finale will have preseason-tryout feel

Game 82 of 2025-26 looks set to be the first preseason game of 2026-27.After the Islanders were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday with a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens, coach Pete DeBoer indicated he’d like to use the last game of the season — a home match against Carolina on Tuesday — to “see as many guys as possible.”That may have been a nod to Victor Eklund, who could be in line to make his NHL debut after helping AHL Bridgeport clinch a playoff spot on Sunday night, though it’s unclear whether the Isles will call up the Swede.Certainly, it seems like Isaiah George should play, and that some call-ups could happen.“I’ll have to talk to Mathieu [Darche] about roster and some things like that,” DeBoer said.“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.”Hired a week ago Sunday, DeBoer was in the awkward position of dealing with a devastated team after just his third game in charge.“I’m disappointed,” DeBoer said.

“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.“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.

We know we’ve got a lot of work to do here, but there’s a lot of good things too.”Ondrej Palat was a healthy scratch, with Anthony Duclair coming into the lineup for just the second time in the Islanders’ last 11 games.Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.

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