More than a few things will be different for the Islanders in their home opener on Saturday night against the Predators since the last time they played at Barclays Center.
That includes new management, new coach, new on-ice systems and some new players. Plus, two veteran defensemen in Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk learning to play with new partners.
The Islanders’ former top pair, who both arrived via separate trades on Oct. 14, 2014 and have been a fairly consistent partners since then, played just one five-on-five shift together in the Islanders’ season-opening, 2-1 win at Carolina on Thursday night.