The New York Islanders returned to Long Island on Saturday, riding the high of a 6-1-0 road trip that had reignited belief across the fan base and led to a sell-out crowd waiting for them. However, they were unable to carry the momentum from the road to UBS Arena, where the St. Louis Blues handed the Isles a 2–1 loss in the first game of a season-long seven-game homestand.
The Islanders spent much of the afternoon chasing the game after Brayden Schenn . The early goal immediately put the Islanders on their heels, and according to head coach Patrick Roy, it changed the feel of the game.