The Latest York Islanders are facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the ultimate game of the 2025-26 season. They’re eliminated from playoff contention and have already made a giant move, making Peter DeBoer the pinnacle coach. The Islanders had 2025 first-round pick Victor Eklund make his debut on Tuesday, and he picked up his first assist on Bo Horvat’s three hundredth NHL goal.
VICTOR EKLUND HAS HIS FIRST NHL POINT!!! 💙 pic.twitter.com/5lEUOLtJH9
— NHL (@NHL) April 15, 2026
The Islanders were possessing the puck on a delayed penalty when Eklund found Mathew Barzal across the ice. Barzal made a fast pass to Horvat within the slot, who wired the shot past Hurricanes goalie Brandon Bussi.
Eklund was drafted sixteenth overall by the Islanders in June, the primary of two picks they picked up within the Noah Dobson trade. He played skilled hockey in Sweden this yr, scoring 24 points in 43 games. After that season ended, he scored nine points in seven games for the AHL’s Bridgeport Islanders. His NHL debut is available in the finale, and he has already found the scoresheet.
Eklund is a big piece of the Islanders’ youth movement going into the 2026-27 season. He was certainly one of three first-round picks last summer, joining presumptive Calder Trophy winner Matthew Schaefer and defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson. They’ve three other forward prospects able to debut soon in Cole Eiserman, Danny Nelson, and Quinn Finley.
Horvat was vital to the Islanders success early within the season. He scored 19 goals in 32 games before suffering an injury against the Anaheim Geese, forcing him to miss six games. After that, his scoring prowess decreased, as this was his thirty first goal in his 68th game. His pace was 48.6 goals per 82 games before the injury and ended at 37.8.
Horvat spoke with MSGSN’s Shannon Hogan between periods, saying the puck will go to Eklund. “I need (Ekky) to have the puck for his first point. It’s really cool to see nice young talent come up in our system,” Horvat said, per Erik Hornick of MSGSN.
The Latest York Islanders are facing the Carolina Hurricanes in the ultimate game of the 2025-26 season. They’re eliminated from playoff contention and have already made a giant move, making Peter DeBoer the pinnacle coach. The Islanders had 2025 first-round pick Victor Eklund make his debut on Tuesday, and he picked up his first assist on Bo Horvat’s three hundredth NHL goal.