{"id":424499,"date":"2026-10-10T23:32:11","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T23:32:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/424499\/"},"modified":"2026-10-10T23:32:11","modified_gmt":"2026-10-10T23:32:11","slug":"ny-islanders-face-toughest-early-season-test-as-tampa-bay-visits-ubs-arena","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/424499\/","title":{"rendered":"NY Islanders face toughest early season test as Tampa Bay visits UBS Arena"},"content":{"rendered":"

The best news for the New York Islanders arrived before the puck dropped: <\/p>\n

Bo Horvat is healthy and ready to play.<\/p>\n

After leaving Thursday\u2019s 4-1 win over Chicago following Frank Nazar\u2019s illegal check to the head, Horvat returned to his regular spot at Saturday\u2019s morning skate. For a team already dealing with Alexander Romanov\u2019s season-ending injury, avoiding another significant loss is a huge relief.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an unfortunate play, but luckily I\u2019m fine and ready to go tonight,\u201d Horvat said.<\/p>\n

Now comes the next challenge. The Islanders host the Tampa Bay Lightning at UBS Arena on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a chance to see how their improving game holds up against an opponent capable of punishing every mistake.<\/p>\n

Beating Chicago was encouraging. Handling Tampa Bay will require another level.<\/p>\n

Pete DeBoer believes the Islanders have made progress, but they\u2019re still searching for a complete effort.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t put it all together for 60 minutes yet,\u201d DeBoer said.<\/p>\n

The Lightning arrive riding three consecutive wins, with reigning Hart Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov leading a dangerous lineup. John Carlson scored twice in their latest victory, helping Tampa Bay finally break through on the power play.<\/p>\n

The Islanders have their own reasons for confidence. Horvat has four goals in four games, Anthony Duclair scored his first Thursday, and Matias Maccelli\u2019s playmaking has helped give DeBoer offense throughout the lineup.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s Ilya Sorokin, the likely starter after his career-best shutout streak reached 165:31 against Chicago. A potential matchup with Andrei Vasilevskiy gives this game an appealing showdown between last season\u2019s top two Vezina finishers.<\/p>\n

The Islanders\u2019 power play has scored in three straight games. Keeping that production going, staying disciplined and supporting Sorokin will matter against Tampa.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ve shown promising stretches. Tonight is an opportunity to turn those stretches into a statement against stronger competition.<\/p>\n

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