2020–21 New York Islanders season
The 2020–21 New York Islanders season was the 49th season in the franchise's history. It was their first full season in the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum since returning to the arena full-time for the 2020–21 season, as well as their 45th overall and final season in the arena. In June 2020, the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum's leaseholder announced that the arena would be closed and seek a new leaseholder, which was found in August 2020.
| 2020–21 New York Islanders | |
|---|---|
| Division | 4th East |
| 2020–21 record | 32–17–7 |
| Home record | 21–4–3 |
| Road record | 11–13–4 |
| Goals for | 156 |
| Goals against | 128 |
| Team information | |
| General manager | Lou Lamoriello |
| Coach | Barry Trotz |
| Captain | Anders Lee |
| Alternate captains | Josh Bailey Cal Clutterbuck Brock Nelson (Apr. 5 – Jun. 25) |
| Arena | Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum |
| Minor league affiliate(s) | Bridgeport Sound Tigers (AHL) Worcester Railers (ECHL) |
| Team leaders | |
| Goals | Brock Nelson (18) |
| Assists | Nick Leddy (29) |
| Points | Mathew Barzal (45) |
| Penalty minutes | Mathew Barzal (48) |
| Plus/minus | 4 tied (+15) |
| Wins | Semyon Varlamov (19) |
| Goals against average | Semyon Varlamov (2.04) |
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and COVID-19 cross-border travel restrictions imposed by the Government of Canada, the Islanders played a shortened 56-game regular season, which consisted of divisional play only, with the Islanders being temporarily realigned from the Metropolitan Division to the East Division.
Fan attendance in home games was prohibited until February 23, per an executive order from Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo. The Islanders reopened Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum to spectators on March 18.
The team made the playoffs for the third straight season when they defeated the New York Rangers on May 1, 2021. This marked the first time since the 2003–04 season that the Islanders clinched a playoff spot for a third consecutive season. They would go on to defeat the division champions Pittsburgh Penguins in the First round in six games. Game 6 of the series was the first series-clinching game at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum since 1993. After defeating Pittsburgh, the Islanders would later compete against the Boston Bruins in the Second round and defeat them in six games. They competed against the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Semifinals, where they were defeated in seven games.