The New York Islanders entered play against the Ottawa Senators with a key lineup change for their blueline following an injury development while looking to improve a 1-3-0 record on the year.

Snapshots from the New York Islanders 5-4 win over the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Oct. 18, 2025. Photos by Andrea Cardin/NHLI via Getty Images, Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, and Kathryn Howell/New York Islanders.

Preview the Oct. 18 matchup between the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders with betting odds over/under, game spread, moneyline, prediction, TV channel and more.

All through training camp, the refrain coming from the Islanders’ dressing room was that if they had only had a functioning power play last season, they likely would have been in the playoffs.

At his best, Evan Bouchard is one of the league's top offensive defensemen, but Kris Knoblauch didn't see that on Thursday night.

Number one overall pick Matthew Schaefer makes his first NHL appearance in Ottawa, a homecoming for Pageau, and Pinto's early breakout.

The Ottawa Senators will look to improve to .500 on Saturday afternoon when the New York Islanders come to town. The Sens are coming off a comeback shootout win over the Kraken on Thursday night, when Linus Ullmark stopped 30 of 33 shots.

Coach Patrick Roy, though, said he’s been happy with Shabanov’s progress. The Islanders coach was particularly impressed during training camp with Shabanov’s commitment in the defensive zone, noting that Shabanov waited outside his office one day to ask him questions about it.