Islanders Lose to Devils 2-1 in First Preseason Game, With Mat Barzal Missing Due to Injury

The Islanders played their first preseason game of the 2026-7 season on Saturday, Sept. 19, against the Devils. They lost this game 2-1, as their leading scorer from last season, Mat Barzal, missed the game with an injury; he is expected to miss the entire preseason and might miss the season opener in Toronto on September 30.

There are several fascinating stories surrounding the Islanders this preseason. The Barzal injury is related to one. His absence creates a roster spot, maybe for a young player like Victor Eklund. The extent to which the several prospects make the opening day roster is one of the big stories for the team. The other is backup goaltender Semeyon Varlamov. Do you think the Islanders are deep enough to withstand injuries?

Islanders vs. Devils Game Summary September 19

The Islanders are hoping to make the playoffs this season. If they do, they will just sneak in. The team, at its best, is a middling team in the National Hockey League; at worst, a lottery team. One of the things that must happen for them to reach their potential this season is that they need to have good health. The injury to Mat Barzal is both an example of what cannot happen this season and highlights the singular major issue with this team. They lost this game to the Devils 2-1. Here is how it played out.

There were no goals scored in the first period. In the second period, Cole Eiserman scored, and the Islanders led 1-0. Then Ryan Schmelzer scored for the Devils. The game was tied at 1. In the third period, Connor Brown scored for the Devils, making the score 2-1, the final score of the game. Vitack Vanejak played well in goal for the Islanders. Old friend David Rittich played very well for the Devils.

Mat Barzal Injured

Mat Barzal will miss the entire preseason with a recurring knee injury. The original injury happened on Feb. 1, 2025, blocking a Darren Raddysh shot in Tampa Bay. Islanders General Manager Mathieu Darche told reporters on Sept. 17. He said, “It’s something that we’ve been managing for over a year; every now and then there’s some inflammation, and just over the summer, as he ramped up, there was a bit more inflammation. We just want to make sure that we control it. So it’s nothing new. It’s just something we have to control.”

He said Bazal will not skate for two weeks and might also miss the season opener in Toronto against former Islander John Tavaras, as know as ‘Pajama Boy,’ ans number one overall draft pick Gavin McKenna.

Barzal led the Islanders with 72 points last season, so his absence is a big one for a team that can ill afford it. That was the third-highest point total in his nine full NHL seasons. Pete DeBoer, head coach, previously said Barzal will play center, so with Barzal out, Darche said Calum Ritchie is expected to get a look down the middle at camp. “He’s got the hockey IQ, and he’s come in in good shape,” Darche said of Ritchie. “We’re excited to say he’s a big body that can move the puck. He’s going to get an opportunity.”

That fact highlights just some of the opportunity created by the Barzal injury. Ritchie will get a shot at center. Also, there is an open roster spot. Maybe Victor Eklund can grab it, maybe sniper Cole Eiserman can grab it. There is a slight chance that one of the other prospects will take the roster spot. This is the definitive issue for the team this season. Will the great young prospects supplant the veterans for the Islanders?

Seymeon Varlamov to Return

When General Manager Mathieu Darche spoke to reporters on September 17, he gave an update on goaltender Semyon Varlamov. He might end up being one of the best stories of the year in the NHL. Varlamov was taking shots on the ice while Darche was speaking to reporters, and he participated in a regular practice. The Islanders’ miracle goaltender is healthy for the first time in nearly two years after undergoing multiple knee surgeries, including two knee replacements.

Darche said, “The work that Varly’s put in is really impressive. Honestly, it’s almost inspiring to our guys because he could have rolled into the sunset, right? [He could have] just collected the last two years of his contract… but the way he’s worked, and he’s done all that, and he feels great. But let’s see how he feels now.”

Varlamov last played an NHL game on Nov. 29, 2024, and will be monitored during Training Camp and preseason games, and Darche did not rule out carrying three goalies at the end of camp, with Vitek Vanecek also on the team.

Conclusion: High Stakes at Islanders’ Preseason

The results of the games matter much less than how individual players performed. In this preseason game, we saw some good things. Cole Eiserman scoring the lone goal for the Islanders was a big deal. The Islanders saw what Vanajak can give them, though he was outplayed by the man he replaced.