Peter DeBoer Replaces Patrick Roy As Coach Of NHL’s New York Islanders

Clinging to a playoff spot with four regular-season games remaining, the New York Islanders brought in head coach Peter DeBoer to replace Patrick Roy on Apr. 5, 2026. (Photo by Jonathan Kozub/NHLI via Getty Images) NHLI via Getty Images Clinging tenuously to a playoff spot, the New York Islanders have made a coaching change with four games left to play in the 2025-26 NHL regular season.

After two and a half seasons behind the bench, Patrick Roy is out and Peter DeBoer is in. The move comes with the Islanders mired in a four-game losing streak in which they were outscored 20-10. Heading into games on Sunday, New York sits third in the Metropolitan Division with a record of 42-31-5 for 89 points.

However, four teams sit right behind them with 88 points and the Washington Capitals have 87. All five of those clubs have played one or two fewer games than the Islanders. The good news for DeBoer is that he’ll have a few days to get his bearings.

The Islanders’ next game isn’t until Thursday, when they kick off their season-ending four-game homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The bad news is that New York will almost certainly be on the outside of the playoff picture by then. That could happen as early as Sunday, with four teams in action that could immediately affect New York’s playoff position.