Every year towards the end of June, the NHL schedule is released. Fans are always excited to see when their team will be playing their rivals and other opponents. But for Islanders fans, it’s not just when, it’s where.
Last year was the first year that the Islanders split time between the Barclays Center and the Nassau Coliseum. Although the Islanders did perform well at both arenas during the regular season, when the playoffs time came around, the Islanders true home became even more evident.
With the release of the schedule on June 25, many differences from last years schedule were clear. Last year, all of October and November were played in Brooklyn while all of March and April were played at the Nassau Coliseum with December, January and February being split between the two areas. This season, home games are divided between the two areas for the entire season.
Also, many of the more intriguing matchups this season are being held at the Barclays Center over the Nassau Coliseum. All of the Islanders matchups against the Penguins, Flyers and Rangers are at Barclays Center. This is the second consecutive year that the Rangers will not be playing the Islanders at the Coliseum which has no doubt disappointed many Islanders fans.
However, many intriguing games are still being held at the Nassau Coliseum including games against the Capitals, Blues, Maple Leafs and Predators. With that being said, still, most of the Islanders most important games will be played at the Barclays Center.
This is very disappointing for many Islanders fans that wanted to see the team play more games in the Coliseum. The Barclays Center has proved time and time again that it is not the home of the New York Islanders and the playoffs confirmed that.
Many fans wonder, “Why don’t the Islanders play every game at the Coliseum?” The answer to that question is simple.
Money.
Barclays Center can bring in more revenue for the league than the Nassau Coliseum can. Suites and total arena capacity are the main reasons why the Islanders are playing half of their season in an arena that the Islanders do not call home.
Last season during the playoffs, the Islanders thrived in the Coliseum. The electric atmosphere in the building is second to none. It is loud and crazy. It is everything a home arena should be, and it was evident the team fed off it. Even when watching the playoffs on TV, there was a clear difference in team energy from when they were playing the Penguins and playing the Hurricanes. The fans want the Islanders at the Coliseum, the players want the Coliseum, but it just is not possible… yet.
With the construction of the new Belmont Park arena set to begin in just a few short weeks, the Islanders could be forced to play in two separate venues until the building is complete. However, as fans, we need to look past the arena and look at the team on the ice. Even though the Barclays Center is not ideal, at least we have somewhere to play our games and do not need to deal with the pain of relocation. So this season Rock the Barc and Rock the Barn!

David Lazar