It is a fantastic time to be following the New York Islanders, as they are making a serious push toward the playoffs and making major headlines in the process. Here are the key storylines this week and their upcoming schedule for the week of March 9-16, 2026.
The Brayden Schenn Blockbuster
The biggest news right now is the Islanders’ major trade deadline splash. On March 6, they acquired veteran center Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues.
In exchange, the Isles sent forward Jonathan Drouin, goalie prospect Marcus Gidlof, and two 2026 picks (a first-rounder and a third-rounder) to St. Louis. Schenn waived his no-trade clause to join the team and made his debut in Saturday’s win over the San Jose Sharks.
Bo Horvat’s Dramatic Weekend & Fine
Forward Bo Horvat is in the news for two very different reasons. On Saturday, March 7, he scored the overtime game-winner in a 2-1 victory over the Sharks. However, he was also handed a $2,500 fine by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety for unsportsmanlike conduct after shoving the visor of Sharks forward William Eklund while Eklund was sitting on the bench.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s Extension
Just before the trade deadline, general manager Mathieu Darche locked down center J.G. Pageau with a three-year contract extension, ensuring he wouldn’t hit unrestricted free agency this summer.
A Massive Bounce-Back Season
Under head coach Patrick Roy, the Islanders are having an incredible 2025-26 season. After missing the playoffs last season, they are currently sitting comfortably in third place in the Metropolitan Division with a 36-23-5 record. Rookie defenseman (and first-overall draft pick) Matthew Schaefer is also trending as a massive favorite for the Calder Trophy.
Islanders Upcoming Schedule
The upcoming week is relatively light but incredibly compelling.
The major storyline will be on Tuesday, March 10, when the Islanders travel to Missouri to play the Blues. This game will be highly emotional, as newly acquired Islander Brayden Schenn will be immediately returning to face the team he captained for years.
After that, the Isles head back to Long Island for a weekend back-to-back at UBS Arena against two Western Conference opponents: the Los Angeles Kings and the Calgary Flames. Managing goaltender workloads between Ilya Sorokin and the backup will be key during that weekend stretch to secure crucial Metropolitan Division points.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time (EDT) |
| Tuesday, Mar. 10 | at St. Louis Blues | Enterprise Center | 7:30 PM |
| Friday, Mar. 13 | vs. Los Angeles Kings | UBS Arena | 7:00 PM |
| Saturday, Mar. 14 | vs. Calgary Flames | UBS Arena | 7:00 PM |
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