It had not been a Happy New Year for Anthony Duclair.
He was a healthy scratch for the Islanders’ first two games of 2026, but the veteran forward was back in the lineup on Tuesday night and he celebrated his return with one of the best games of his career. Duclair recorded the fourth hat trick of his career and a career high five points in the Islanders’ 9-0 whitewash of the Devils in front of a sellout crowd of 17,255 at UBS Arena. In addition to his three goals, Duclair also had two assists and was a plus six.
Duclair is the first Islander to have a five point game since Mat Barzal on April 1st, 2021 and he is the first NHL player to have a natural hat trick, a five point game and at least a plus six rating since Wayne Gretzky on February 18th, 1981.
“It was a big game,” said Duclair. “A divisional game. A rivalry game against the Devils. It’s always a big one against these guys so we wanted to come prepared. Anytime you get on the scoresheet and help the boys, it’s always a good feeling. It’s been a while since I scored a hat trick so I’m very happy about that for sure.”
For Duclair, it was his first hat trick in more than six years. He had been a healthy scratch for three of the previous five games but it didn’t derail his enthusiasm for the game or for his team. He has continued to work hard in his second season with the Islanders after his first season didn’t go well due to injuries and a public lambasting from Head Coach Patrick Roy that led to Duclair stepping away from the team.
“He played a really good game,” said Roy. “I’m happy for him. I know it was hard for him to be a healthy scratch the last couple of games so I’m pretty happy to see him the way he bounced tonight and the way he played. I always thought he had a great shot and tonight he showed it.”
Duclair didn’t just get a hat trick…he had a natural hat trick.
His first goal of the night came at 4:01 of the first period to give the Islanders a 2-0 lead. Nine and a half minutes later, Duclair made it 3-0 with his second goal of the game and the Islanders took that lead into the first intermission.
At 3:29 of the third period, Duclair completed the hat trick taking a feed from Mat Barzal and firing the puck past Jacob Markstrom for his seventh goal of the season.
Barzal wanted Duclair to finish the “natty hatty”.
“Definitely,” said Barzal. “He’s my boy. I wanted to give him a chance at it at least. He comes to the rink every day with a smile on his face. He’s laughing and having a good time. The last couple of times he hasn’t been in, he’s been working on his game after practice. He’s just a pro day in and day out so I’m happy for him.”
And once that puck hit the back of the net, a third chorus of “Duuuuuc” along with plenty of hats came raining down from the crowd in Islanders Country. Duclair was named the game’s first star edging out Ilya Sorokin who made 44 saves for his fourth shutout of the season and 26th of his career moving him past Glenn “Chico” Resch for the top spot in Islanders history.
And Duclair was able to do it with his mother in attendance.
“I’m very grateful,” said Duclair. “I’m obviously very thankful for all the fans who threw their hats. It’s a great feeling. Shout out to Mom. Mom was in town. It was her last day here on the island so I wanted to play well for her and I’m glad that she got to witness that.”
And now Anthony Duclair and the Islanders embark on a seven-game road trip starting Thursday night in Nashville. The Islanders have been getting contributions from different players every game, but if Duclair can find the back of the net with some consistency, he won’t have to worry about being a healthy scratch again.