Islanders rookie Victor Eklund holds own versus Auston Matthews line

TORONTO — The most surprised person to learn that Victor Eklund made the Islanders roster out of camp might have been Victor Eklund himself.Even late in the preseason, once it became an open secret that he’d made the team, Eklund didn’t let himself get caught up in it.So when he was told he’d be with the Islanders as they opened the season on Wednesday here in Toronto with a 2-1 loss to the Leafs, he felt the full weight of the accomplishment.“It was kind of a shock,” Eklund told The Post.

“I just tried to play to my best every day.I didn’t feel like I was safe at any time.”Ironic, given that less than an hour before that conversation, general manager Mathieu Darche had described the decision by calling it the obvious thing to do.But while Eklund came into camp as an underdog to make the roster, his inclusion was the obvious move by the end of it.

His play, combined with the spot opened up by Mat Barzal’s injury, made it so.Eklund ultimately skated 11:38 in his first meaningful NHL minutes — his debut last year came in a meaningless Game 82 — getting thrown straight into the fire as Toronto coach Jim Hiller matched his top line of Auston Matthews, Kirill Marchenko and Jack Roslovic with Eklund’s line.Unsurprisingly given that context, it took him some time to look comfortable, and Eklund sat the final 7:34 as Pete DeBoer cut down his bench.The Islanders’ coach, though, still had good things to say about the rookie’s performance.“I thought he got better as the game went on,” DeBoer said.

“… He had a couple looks too.He could’ve scored.

I had no problem with his game at all.” Sign up for Inside the Islanders by Ethan Sears, a weekly Sports+ exclusive.Please provide a valid email.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Mat Barzal (left kneecap) has made “really, really good progress,” accor...