Going into the summer, Ondrej Palat and Anthony Duclair felt like representations of what the Islanders did not need: underproducing wingers who had struggled to justify their presence in the lineup, with their cap charges only exacerbating the problem. 

Though the season is still at such an early stage that small-sample caveats can apply to every sentence, it’s not a mere pleasant surprise that both players have produced thus far. It’s a necessary condition if the Islanders — still without Mathew Barzal, by the way — are going to find the necessary forward depth to compete for a playoff spot. It’s one that both players are doing their part to fulfill. 

“I don’t think I play on another level [as opposed to last season]. I work really hard, even when I got here,” Palat told The Post before the Islanders faced Tampa Bay on Saturday night at UBS Arena. “I just think I’m playing a little bit differently. I was working during the summer. Point-wise, still, I want to be better, but we’ve created a lot of chances.” 

New York Islanders left wing Ondrej Palat (81) passes the puck down ice as New Jersey Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon (5) rushes to defend during the first period at UBS Arena, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

Palat, 35, said he made changes to his offseason routine to compensate for age but preferred to keep the specifics private. So far, they’ve worked. He’s played with noticeably more energy, and the Islanders’ fourth line has been noticeably more up ice. 

“They’ve been maybe our most consistent line,” DeBoer said of the trio that currently includes Matias Maccelli and Casey Cizikas in addition to Palat. “It’s exactly what I talked about at the beginning of the year. The goal isn’t to get out there and survive your shift. It’s to tilt the ice, chip in some goals and help us win games. I think they’ve taken that message and kind of run with it.” 

That’s noticeably different from the sort of fourth line the Islanders spent years with, and which they’ve failed to replicate since Cal Clutterbuck and Matt Martin aged out. During camp, it seemed like an odd fit, but the fruits of it are starting to pay off. DeBoer’s trust is evident in the way he’s distributing minutes. 

Entering Saturday, there was only a gap of 2:07 between the forward averaging the most 5-on-5 minutes (Emil Heineman) and the fewest (Palat). A year ago, that gap was a seismic 5:54 between Barzal and Maxim Tsyplakov. 

Duclair, who seems to have gotten off on the right foot with DeBoer, is a big piece of the equation as well. It was highly notable that he responded well after DeBoer spoke to Duclair asking for a higher level after what he felt was a lackluster performance against the Rangers on Tuesday, scoring his first goal of the season two nights later against the Blackhawks. 

New York Islanders left wing Anthony Duclair (11) takes a shot during the first period of a game at UBS Arena in Elmont, N.Y., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

“You look at his career; he’s had some outstanding seasons where he’s put it all together,” DeBoer said. “I’m not asking him to do anything he hasn’t done before.” 

True, but Duclair didn’t come close to the 25-goal, 40-plus point player the Islanders expected in either of his first two seasons here, to the point that expectations have dropped in turn — for everyone except DeBoer, that is. The coach’s belief will be a breath of fresh air for the player. DeBoer may not fully realize the subtext underpinning the situation, but his predecessor’s struggles to motivate Duclair — and subsequent public alienation — played a role in his issues here. 

Now, Duclair, who also made a point earlier this week of saying he feels fully healthy, can play without that weight on his shoulders. 

“Obviously he’s been around for a long time. He’s a very experienced coach,” Duclair said of DeBoer. “He’s had a lot of success over the years, so anything he says, you want to take that and apply it right away. We’ve all bought into his system here the last couple games. It’s just a question of keep building and keep learning.”