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Five Best Islanders Moments in UBS Arena History

Five Best Islanders Moments in UBS Arena History
Drive4Five Editorials

The Islanders will begin their 52nd season in franchise history on Thursday. The team called Nassau Coliseum home for nearly 50 years before moving to UBS Arena in 2021.

As the Islanders kick off their fourth season in Elmont, let’s take a trip down memory lane and look back at the five best moments that have taken place at UBS Arena.

5. Islanders vs. Avalanche, Oct. 29, 2022

The defending Stanley Cup champions were in town, but it was the Islanders who had a championship effort to earn a win.

After falling behind 3-0 in the second period, it looked like the Islanders had no shot at emerging victorious. But a goal from Noah Dobson halfway through the second gave the Islanders some hope, and they came through in the third.

Zach Parise and Scott Mayfield scored to tie the game at three, and 17 seconds after Mayfield’s game-tying tally, Anthony Beauvillier gave the Islanders the lead.

The home team eventually won the game 5-4, providing the UBS Arena crowd a memory that they would remember for years to come.

(The Islanders honored Josh Bailey pregame for playing 1,000 NHL games, which was the icing on the cake of a fantastic night.)

4. Islanders vs. Maple Leafs, Dec. 11, 2023

Talk about a roller coaster of emotions.

The Islanders were leading the Maple Leafs 3-2 late in the third period, but that lead vanished seven seconds before the end of regulation.

Morgan Reilly sent the game to overtime on a goal assisted by John Tavares. That was Tavares’ 1,000th career NHL point, and the Maple Leafs cleared the bench to celebrate.

Their joy lasted approximately five minutes, because 46 seconds into overtime, Bo Horvat sent UBS Arena home happy.

With the win, the Islanders had won five of their last six games, and improved to 8-1-2 in their previous 11.

3. Islanders vs. Flames, Nov. 20, 2021

There is an alternate reality where the Islanders relocated to Kansas City and abandoned Long Island forever.

Thanks to Charles Wang, Scott Malkin, Jon Ledecky and many others, the Islanders never left New York. Yes, there was a pit stop in Brooklyn, but it could have been much, much worse.

That is just one reason why a chilly November day in 2022 was so special. The Islanders were playing their first game at their very own, brand new arena that nobody could take away from them. The Islanders finally had a home.

Even though the game on the ice was terrible — the Islanders lost 5-2 to the Flames — this night marked a new era for a franchise that desperately needed stability and sense of place. UBS Arena provided both of those things, and this fanbase will forever be grateful.

2. Islanders vs. Hurricanes, April 27, 2024

While most people knew the series was over, Mathew Barzal’s overtime winner in Game 4 against the Hurricanes was still a monumental moment for this franchise.

Playing for their postseason lives, the Islanders gave it everything they had and refused to die.

When Robert Bortuzzo, who did not record a point in 23 regular season games with the Islanders, fired a shot towards the net in double overtime, the home crowd held its collective breath.

Barzal got a stick on the puck and it snuck past Frederik Andersen, giving the Islanders their first overtime postseason victory at UBS Arena.

1. Islanders vs. Hurricanes, April 21, 2023

This game was as close as could be… until it wasn’t. Tied at one late in the third period, the Islanders scored four goals in a span of 2:18 — the fastest four goals in Stanley Cup playoff history — to pull away from the Hurricanes, win Game 3 and cut their first-round series deficit to 2-1.

Kyle Palmieri got the scoring spree started, deflecting a Sebastian Aho shot from the point past Antti Raanta with 3:51 left in the game. Matt Martin added another goal 44 seconds later, receiving a pass from Palmieri and beating Raanta to double the lead.

Mayfield scored an empty-net goal with 1:49 left and Anders Lee made history 16 seconds later with Raanta back in the net.

This game was the first time UBS Arena hosted a postseason contest, and the Islanders certainly delivered an iconic performance for Long Island.

Honorable Mentions

Islanders vs. Oilers, Jan. 1, 2022

Islanders vs. Maple Leafs, Jan. 11. 2024

Islanders vs. Rangers, Oct. 26, 2022

Islanders vs. Kings, Dec. 9, 2023

Islanders vs. Devils, Dec. 11, 2021

Featured image courtesy of Kevin Kane/KK Photo Images

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