Anthony Duclair’s Stick Change Sparks Scoring Surge

SEATTLE — Anthony Duclair had relied on the same stick style since his junior hockey days. The flex and curvature suited him perfectly, so he saw no reason to switch it up.

But as the new year rolled in, things changed. Duclair found himself scratched from the Islanders’ first two games of 2026, managing just one point in 26 matches and a mere four points in the first 39 games of the season.

This season has not been as visibly troublesome as the last for Duclair. He’s healthy and has a good rapport with coach Patrick Roy. Still, his effectiveness lingered in the bottom six, with little indication of a revival in his scoring ability.

“I got to a point where I was exhausted. I thought, ‘Something needs to change,'” Duclair said after the Islanders’ 4-3 victory over the Canucks on Monday night. “I just took the plunge. [Casey Cizikas’] advice to stay strong after practice really stuck with me.”

Then what happened?

In the next game, Duclair scored on his first shot and followed it up with two more goals and two assists against the Devils, marking a five-point performance. It was a historic moment—his first five-goal hat trick in five years and the highest scoring game of his career.

He wasted no time telling equipment manager Jason Berger to order sticks to match Cizikas’ specifications.

“Everything—the model and curves—are completely different,” Duclair commented. “I tossed my old stick. I’m now using Cizikas’.”

Coincidence? A placebo effect? Whatever it is, it’s working.

In just seven games with the new stick, Duclair has netted seven goals, including two in the recent game against Vancouver, providing a much-needed jolt to the Islanders during a rough start.

“He seems to shoot with a lot more confidence now,” coach Patrick Roy said. “He’s positioning himself well, and his power-play contributions have been excellent. He deserves recognition for his efforts.”

Interestingly, seven goals equal what he managed all last season.

The Islanders continue to battle for scoring consistency in their ongoing seven-game trip, preparing for their matchup with the Kraken on Wednesday.

They are currently missing their leading scorer Bo Horvat and Kyle Palmieri, who netted 24 goals last season, which has exposed their weaknesses.

Horvat is expected back before the Olympic break, but with Palmieri done for the season due to a torn ACL, scoring depth might need some addressing by Mathieu Darche before the trade deadline.

However, if Duclair continues his upward trend and fulfills the potential the Islanders envisioned when they acquired him last year, the situation could shift—or at least become less urgent.

Overall, there’s been a revival in chemistry among the Islanders, particularly between Duclair and Matt Barzal, who forged a strong connection during the 2024 preseason. They’ve also found synergy with Cal Ritchie, scoring twice on the power play in this latest outing. If Duclair can invigorate the power play, it may transform the team’s fortunes.

For now, while it’s prudent to temper expectations, Duclair seems solidly placed in the top six, even if Horvat returns and requires some roster adjustments.

But if everything boils down to just a stick swap, then one wonders how such a simple fix could have remained untried for so long.