The team’s preseason schedule features trips to Nassau Coliseum and Webster Bank Arena.
After the dust settles and the Islanders sort themselves out, it’s off to the preseason, where New York will partake in some strangely eventful games.
On Thursday, the team revealed their 2017 preseason schedule. Similar to years past, the club will only take on Metropolitan division rivals. However, this go-round features only seven contests — seven contests that should surprisingly capture the attention of the fanbase.
JUST ANNOUNCED: The #Isles 2017 preseason schedule is here!
Check it out ?? →https://t.co/SdGumzB2NK pic.twitter.com/t0WbLDAEfC
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) June 15, 2017
The Isles kick off their preseason slate with a return to the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, where they spent the first forty-three seasons of their history. This was first reported by my colleague Paul Schwartz, who warns that this doesn’t mean a return to Fort Neverlose.
Rather, as we reported last month, “What it likely means is that the Isles recognize a chance to make some money — and maybe even appease a disgruntled portion of the fanbase. A return to Nassau — even for just one game — would presumably have fans actually attending a preseason contest, surely more than would be showing up for a humdrum game at the Barclays.”
The contest is the first of three against the Philadelphia Flyers, who have always been rivals — albeit insignificant ones at that. Similarly, the Isles will also have multiple matchups with their crosstown eneimes, the Rangers, the later of which will take place at Webster Bank Arena, home of the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
In addition, the Isles will face the Sabres and Devils. All in all, the Islanders will play two games at Barclays Center, three games on the road, and one game in Bridgeport and NVMC, respectively. Not too shabby for the measly preseason.
