Islanders rookie Victor Eklund holds own versus Auston Matthews’ line

Even late in the preseason, once it became an open secret that he'd made the team, Eklund didn't let himself get caught up in it.

So when he was told he'd be with the Islanders as they opened the season on Wednesday here in Toronto with a 2-1 loss to the Leafs , he felt the full weight of the accomplishment.

Rookie Victor Eklund moves the puck up ice during the Islanders' 2-1 season-opening loss to the Maple Leafs on Sept. 30, 2026 in Toronto. Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images