New York Islanders Pregame Availability | 10/28/25

What’s the key to a solid road win against the Bruins tonight? Yeah, just I think keep doing what we’re doing. Um, obviously I mean I think we’ve been playing really good hockey. I think everyone’s been rolling here. So, um, I think we just got to keep doing that. Um, you know, obviously keep putting, uh, goals on the board. Um, but I think the main thing is just, you know, keep playing how we have been and keep playing Islander hockey. So, um, yeah, I mean, when everyone’s rolling, that’s when we’re at our best. You talk about that Islanders hockey, everyone rolling at their best. What’s been that difference in the past five games versus the first three games of the season? Yeah, I mean, I feel like our start wasn’t very good. Um, I mean, we got to stay out of the box. I think that’s a big one, too. But I think we just got to, you know, start, you know, super hard, start on top. Um, you know, come out flying and then, you know, throughout the rest of the game. I think we just got to keep our feet moving. Um, and, you know, keep going to work. I think that’s a big thing. But, you know, I think the start for sure is a is a big part of our game. And, you know, our third period, um, I mean, we’re really good, too. So, uh, I mean, I think when we’re playing, you know, um, as hard as we can in our all three periods, I think that’s when we’re at our best. Ask you about Marshall Warren, of course, getting a second angel game there. How happy are you for him to get his first one there on Saturday and to get another one here tonight? Yeah, I mean, it’s awesome. I mean, watching, you know, him come up and then, you know, get a couple points and, um, you know, help us in a hard fought game, I think that’s, you know, super big. And, uh, he’s a great player, great person on off the ice. So, yeah. Maybe a quick turn because your NHL debut wasn’t too long ago, but did he did he ask you any questions or how is he acclimating to the room so far? Yeah. No, I mean I I mean I think he’s kind of just there. I mean, we’re all we’re all here to help him as much as we can. So, yeah. I mean, it’s uh I mean, he knows that, you know, if he ever needs anything, we’re all here. Well, I don’t know who I’m playing with yet. I think maybe Tony, but if I do play with Scotty, uh yeah, he’s obviously a leader. He’s been around for a while, so um just taking everything in really. Um, but yeah, you know, you just try to make the most of every situation you’re in. So, um, taking everything day by day and just grinding, just I know I heard it get asked a couple times, but back in this building, I think the last game you had here was that overtime finish maybe in 23. Yeah. I don’t I don’t even remember, but I played a few games here. Is there extra extra energy when you’re in this type of building knowing the history having like you said seen ML’s goal, Baldi’s goal, all these guys you played with? I’ve seen a lot here. Um, it’s pretty cool. Like when I was at those games uh cuz I was drafted by Minnesota, so Matt and uh I think Rossy played his first game too that day. So it was cool to be in the box and see those guys. But and then Mark’s goal was sick cuz he’s a Boston guy. So uh it was like cross crease over and he scored and I remember I was like right on the glass and I was like this is surreal like um and then you know you’re in that now you’re in the building playing. So, it’s a pretty full circle moment. Um, you know, now that you’re in Boston yesterday, did you get a chance to catch up with any of your college buddies or former coaches? It’s funny. One of my best friends um from my hometown lives in Boston now. So, I got to see him yesterday, see his place in the North End. Um, but it’s cool. You know, I got a lot of friends and family here and a lot of people that support me here. So, Boston’s special place for my family. My sister went to BEu, so it’s like I went to BC, she went to BEu. It’s like it’s a crazy like crazy place for my family. How was that rivalry at home? Well, she always like rooted for BC in sports, honestly, cuz BEu was never like hockey, they’re okay, but they weren’t always like the best other sports, but uh yeah, we’re I’m just proud of her that she got a BEu degree, you know. Any of your former coaches in attendance tonight? Any friends? Yeah, I was texting coach York. Uh I think he’s away right now. Um but I the text making the rounds tonight, but uh hopefully some friends and family. I know my dad’s coming tonight. It’s his birthday. So, uh hopefully try to get him one. That’d be cool. Just how does that give you some some extra juice knowing your your family and so many It’s kind of like a mini homecoming for you here in Boston. How does that give you that extra juice on the ice? Yeah, it is. I think it’s cool. Um I’m fired up. Uh I love playing hockey. I love being competitive. So whenever you get a chance to wear an Islanders jersey, uh I never take it for granted really because you know I was a kid once wanted to be here and now you’re here. So you got to work hard every single day. So yeah, it’s really cool. Talking to JG PJO and he said that you guys had a conversation about you know he recalled his NHL debut in in Ottawa. It was also against Philly and your NHL debut was at matinea 12:30 start. So to have you know this be a normal game are you going to get your pregame napping? Yeah. Yeah, for sure. Uh, it’s actually pretty funny. Me and JG were talking about like his debut. He’s like, I got an assist and I was like, damn. Like, that’s a good debut. And then I happened to get two and I was like, damn, that’s pretty nice. But, uh, yeah, he’s a great guy. He’s been a really good mentor to me. Um, and yeah, I’ll definitely get my pregame nap in, maybe watch a show and relax. It’s been a short time up for you, just a four or five days or so, but what are you learning from the veterans this locker room? Yeah, a lot. just um every day like you know how to act, be professional and that stuff and um everyone’s been nice. I kind of I’m kind of blessed that I get to be with them in the summer and skate with them. So I know all them pretty well. You always talk about what a good veteran Scott Mayfield is. Um now that you know Warren is with Tony D’Angelo, um how are those two veterans helping uh Schaefer and Warren settle in? I’m sure they do. Um, I think Tony has been in the league long enough and um, I think he he understand what it is and certainly could be very helpful for Warren. What is it do for the the veteran defenseman that you have when they see the backside pressure of two rookies kind of being integrated into the lineup like that? I don’t know how they see it, but personally, I mean, I’m I’m very happy with what we have. I mean, um, Schaefer does not need more, but I mean, Warren played a really good game against Philly and, um, you always you’re always happy for someone that puts so much hard work. Um, I know he’s been playing in Boston College here and and I’m sure it means a lot for him to play here, but at the same time, I mean, good things happen when you do good things and I feel like you deserve all that. When you look at the games that you’ve been happy with, more of a complete effort, what role are you seeing the tightening of the defense play in that? Well, we talk about a couple of our wins where we thought we gave too many chances from the the pocket. I thought the last two games we played better um in that in that regard. And I I think this is this is the year the year is a bit of a grind where you want to get better and better every time you go on the ice. Every game you’re playing and teams adjusting. You need to adjust and but I thought the last two games in Philly um you know we did a really nice job. I mean uh not giving as many uh scoring chance from from the pocket. I know Romanov skated with the team. any update on his progress or not at this time. Uh we’ll see how he feels tomorrow when he get, you know, gets more in contact and stuff like this, but as of now, nothing else to add. Looking at Boston, it’s a team that that played last night, they lost the way they did last night. You know, they’re going to come out hard. They’re a physical team. How do you look to counter that? What do you want out of your guys? We can’t worry about them right now. We got to worry about ourselves. I mean, that’s that’s what I said before leaving the ice. I mean, we just want to play a good role game and and give oursel a chance to win this game. And we’ll see where we are at the end.

Hear from Matthew Schaefer, Marshall Warren and Head Coach Patrick Roy after today’s morning skate in Boston.

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