Islanders’ regular-season finale will have preseason-tryout feel

Game 82 of 2025-26 looks set to be the first preseason game of 2026-27.

After the Islanders were officially eliminated from playoff contention on Sunday with a 4-1 loss to the Canadiens, coach Pete DeBoer indicated he’d like to use the last game of the season — a home match against Carolina on Tuesday — to “see as many guys as possible.”

That may have been a nod to Victor Eklund, who could be in line to make his NHL debut after helping AHL Bridgeport clinch a playoff spot on Sunday night, though it’s unclear whether the Isles will call up the Swede.

Certainly, it seems like Isaiah George should play, and that some call-ups could happen.

“I’ll have to talk to Mathieu [Darche] about roster and some things like that,” DeBoer said. “But for me, the more guys I can see in game action that are potentially part of this going forward, I think that’s important.”

Islanders defenseman Isaiah George (36) runs a drill during practice at the Northwell Health Ice Center, Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in East Meadow, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Hired a week ago Sunday, DeBoer was in the awkward position of dealing with a devastated team after just his third game in charge.

“I’m disappointed,” DeBoer said. “I know they were in a good spot a month ago, or coming out of the Olympic break, probably. A lot of work goes into that. I can only speak to the last seven days.

• CHECK OUT THE LATEST NHL STANDINGS AND ISLANDERS STATS

“These guys have had a lot of stuff thrown at them. One coach left, a new coach came in. A lot of new stuff. So they’re wearing that a little bit and you feel for them. I can tell you I’m proud they didn’t quit. They played right to the buzzer tonight. We know we’ve got a lot of work to do here, but there’s a lot of good things too.”

Ondrej Palat was a healthy scratch, with Anthony Duclair coming into the lineup for just the second time in the Islanders’ last 11 games.

Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer responds to questions from reporters during press conference after an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. AP

Ilya Sorokin started his ninth straight game in net and has now appeared in 14 straight, dating back nearly a month.

Coach Pete DeBoer ruled out any possibility of Alexander Romanov returning from shoulder surgery in the regular season. The Islanders had liked Romanov’s chances of returning in the playoffs since he got hurt in mid-November, but with a playoff berth highly unlikely, it now appears he won’t be back until training camp.