New York Islanders Miss Playoffs Again After Promising Start

Team struggles late in season, leading to coaching change and questions about offensive depth

Apr. 14, 2026 at 12:50am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with sharp planes of blue, orange, and white overlapping to create a sense of motion and chaos, conceptually representing the Islanders' offensive woes and late-season struggles.The Islanders' season ends in disappointment as their offensive struggles are laid bare in a cubist deconstruction of their late-season collapse.NYC Today

The New York Islanders had a chance to bounce back and make the playoffs this season after missing out last year, but ultimately fell short. The team went on a late-season skid, losing six of their final seven games in regulation and getting eliminated from playoff contention. Despite having the 10th-best odds in the draft lottery, the Islanders lucked out and landed top prospect Matthew Schaefer, who looks poised to win the Calder Trophy. However, the team's offensive struggles, including a lack of scoring depth, proved too much to overcome.

Why it matters

The Islanders' inability to make the playoffs again raises questions about the team's long-term direction and whether they have the necessary pieces in place to be a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. While the addition of Schaefer provides hope for the future, the Islanders still have work to do to address their structural deficiencies, particularly on the offensive end.

The details

The Islanders' late-season collapse was punctuated by a coaching change, as they fired Patrick Roy and brought in veteran bench boss Peter DeBoer with just four games left in the season. During their six-game losing streak to end the year, the Islanders were outscored 27-11 by a gauntlet of playoff-bound teams. Despite a strong season from goaltender Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders' offensive struggles proved too much to overcome, as they finished the year with the eighth-fewest goals per game in the NHL. Their top scorer, center Mat Barzal, had just 71 points in 80 games, underscoring the lack of scoring depth on the roster.

  • The Islanders were eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The Islanders fired head coach Patrick Roy with just four games left in the season.

The players

Matthew Schaefer

A top prospect who the Islanders selected first overall in the draft after winning the lottery, Schaefer is the favorite to win the Calder Trophy as the league's top rookie.

Ilya Sorokin

The Islanders' starting goaltender, Sorokin had a strong season with a .906 save percentage and 2.68 goals-against average, though it wasn't enough to carry the team to the playoffs.

Mat Barzal

The Islanders' top scorer, Barzal had 71 points in 80 games, but the team's lack of offensive depth around him proved to be a major issue.

Mathieu Darche

The Islanders' general manager, Darche will have some tough decisions to make this offseason as he looks to build around Schaefer and improve the team's scoring punch.

Peter DeBoer

The veteran head coach brought in to replace Patrick Roy late in the season, DeBoer will be tasked with improving the Islanders' defensive structure and helping to develop their young talent.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to score more goals and be more consistent if we want to be a playoff team. The pieces are there, but we need to put it all together.”

— Mat Barzal, Center

“This season was a disappointment, but we have to look at the big picture. With Matthew Schaefer in the fold and some key prospects developing, the future is still bright for this organization.”

— Mathieu Darche, General Manager

What’s next

The Islanders will have $14.3 million in salary cap space this offseason, which they will need to use wisely to re-sign captain Anders Lee and potentially add more scoring depth through trades or free agency. They will also be looking to the development of Schaefer and their other top prospects to help propel the team back into playoff contention next season.

The takeaway

The Islanders' inability to make the playoffs despite a promising start to the season highlights the team's continued need to address its offensive deficiencies. While the addition of Schaefer provides hope for the future, the Islanders will need to make strategic moves this offseason to build a more well-rounded roster capable of competing with the top teams in the Metropolitan Division.