UBS Arena had already been around for four seasons by the time the ping-pong balls went 7-11-12-13 and the Islanders landed their No. 48.
But over the course of last year, through a climb in attendance and a string of sellouts and a campaign that fell just short of the postseason, it became clear that their home venue had quickly transformed into the Rink That Matthew Schaefer Is Building.
The next step — beginning with their home opener Saturday against the Devils — involves ensuring that the moment isn’t fleeting.
That the Islanders can win, and can play better than they did in their season-opening loss Wednesday, to capitalize on the effect Schaefer’s rookie season had on the trajectory of the franchise.
