Welcome to THN.com’s coverage of the Buffalo Sabres. Recently, and in the upcoming weeks, we’ve been examining the teams the Sabres will face next season. Today’s focus is on the New York Islanders, Buffalo’s fellow New York State rivals.
After missing the Stanley Cup playoffs last year, the Islanders replaced GM Lou Lamoriello with former NHL player Matthew Barzal. They also had luck on their side, winning the draft lottery and picking up standout defenseman Matthew Schaefer first overall.
However, the Islanders are still in the early stages of rebuilding. While many veteran players are aiming for a playoff spot this season, securing a playoff berth in the tough Metropolitan division remains a significant challenge. For Buffalo to solidify their status as a legitimate playoff contender, they’ll need to overcome the Islanders in the 2025-26 season.
Looking back, Buffalo’s history against the Islanders is notable, and it’s worth exploring whether the Sabres can come out on top next season.
Buffalo Sabres vs. New York Islanders
New Islanders Additions: Jonathan Druin (LW), Emil Heineman (LW), Maxim Shabanov (LW), David Littic (G)
2024-25 Series Record: Sabres 1-2-0, Islanders 2-1-0
2025-26 Matchups: December 20th in Buffalo, January 24th in Long Island, March 31st in Buffalo
The Sabres and Islanders played all three of their games before Christmas last season, but the first two matchups not until December 20th this coming season. The final game on March 31st will be the Sabres’ eighth game of that season. By then, both teams’ rosters will likely look quite different.
New Islanders GM Barzal has already shown he’s willing to make bold moves, sending star defenseman Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens in a major trade, signaling that the Islanders are open to making big changes.
Many Islanders veterans may be on the trade block this year. While center JG Pago is relatively new, some key players like forward Matthew Barzal, center Bo Horvat, winger Kyle Palmieri, rookie Druin, defensemen Alexander Romanoff, Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and star goalie Ilya Sorokin are likely to stay, though nothing is guaranteed.
Despite most experts not predicting the Islanders as playoff contenders in the Metropolitan division, the team has experienced players who are far from finished. With manager Patrick Roy setting high standards, the Islanders are expected to remain competitive, meaning the Sabres will need to play their best to win at least two of their three games against New York.
For the Sabres to succeed against the Islanders, they’ll need to exploit the Isles’ defense, which ranked 20th last season by conceding 3.13 goals per game, and stifle their offense, which was 27th with an average of 2.71 goals per game.
Goalie Ilya Sorokin, 29, had a rough 2023-24 season with his save percentage dropping to a career-low .907 over 61 games, partly due to the Isles’ inconsistent defense. While rookie Schaefer showed promise, the rest of the defense struggled to contain opponents effectively.
The rivalry among the three New York State teams always brings extra intensity, and that will hold true in the 2025-26 season. The Sabres are desperate to end a 14-year playoff drought, while the Islanders focus on rebuilding. Their three matchups next season promise compelling, must-watch hockey.
Fan Take: This upcoming season battles between the Sabres and Islanders will be crucial, as both teams are at critical points in their rebuilds and playoff pursuits. Hockey fans should watch closely because these matchups could redefine the power dynamics within the Metropolitan division and signal a return to prominence for New York hockey.
