Anthony Duclair's Stick Change Sparks Islanders' Scoring Revival

New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair has experienced a significant turnaround in his performance following a change in his hockey stick. After struggling with only one goal in his previous 26 games and being a healthy scratch in the first two games of 2026, Duclair decided to switch to a stick used by teammate Casey Cizikas. This decision proved pivotal; in his first game with the new stick, Duclair scored a hat trick and assisted on two additional goals, achieving a five-point night against the New Jersey Devils. This marked the first five-point performance for an Islander in five years and the best scoring output of Duclair's career.

The surprise change at the center of Anthony Duclair’s red-hot Islanders stretchIslanders grind out win over lowly Canucks in messy performance

Since adopting Cizikas' stick, Duclair has scored seven goals in seven games, matching his total from the entire previous season. His resurgence has been crucial for the Islanders, who have faced challenges in scoring, particularly during a seven-game road trip without their leading scorer, Bo Horvat, who is recovering from injury. Coach Patrick Roy noted Duclair's increased confidence and improved positioning, attributing part of his success to the new stick.

The surprise change at the center of Anthony Duclair’s red-hot Islanders stretch

Despite Duclair's individual success, the Islanders' overall performance has been inconsistent. In a recent game against the Vancouver Canucks, the Islanders managed to secure a 4-3 victory, but the match highlighted several issues. The team struggled with physicality and defensive play, particularly in the early stages of the game. Coach Roy acknowledged the need for improvement in one-on-one battles and defensive focus. The Islanders' ability to grind out wins, even against lower-ranked teams, has raised questions about their readiness for tougher competition.

Islanders grind out win over lowly Canucks in messy performance

While Duclair's scoring has provided a much-needed boost, the Islanders' lack of physicality and overall team cohesion has been criticized. Players like Max Tsyplakov have struggled, leading to benching decisions that reflect the team's ongoing search for effective line combinations. The Islanders' performance against the Canucks, who have been on a losing streak, has prompted discussions about the need for further adjustments before the trade deadline.

Islanders grind out win over lowly Canucks in messy performance

Coach Patrick Roy expressed optimism about Duclair's newfound scoring ability, stating, "He deserves credit for that." However, he also emphasized the importance of addressing the team's broader issues. With Horvat expected to return soon, the Islanders will need to find a balance in their lineup to maintain Duclair's momentum while improving overall team performance.

The surprise change at the center of Anthony Duclair’s red-hot Islanders stretch

• “At some point, I was tired. I was like, ‘I need to change something,’” — Anthony Duclair, Forward, New York Islanders

The surprise change at the center of Anthony Duclair’s red-hot Islanders stretch

• “I feel like he’s shooting with a lot of confidence,” — Patrick Roy, Head Coach, New York Islanders

The surprise change at the center of Anthony Duclair’s red-hot Islanders stretch

• “That was a found-a-way-to-win game,” — Anders Lee, Forward, New York Islanders

Islanders grind out win over lowly Canucks in messy performance

• “It’s on me,” — Patrick Roy, regarding Max Tsyplakov's performance

Islanders grind out win over lowly Canucks in messy performance

As the Islanders continue their road trip, the focus will be on sustaining Duclair's scoring while addressing the team's overall performance issues.

The surprise change at the center of Anthony Duclair’s red-hot Islanders stretch