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Islanders vs. Devils Gameday: Schaefer health watch

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Matthew Schaefer scored two roof-raising goals in Saturday night’s win despite feeling unwell with what at least one report said was the flu. As he missed Monday’s practice and was listed “day to day (illness),” I’m struck that I’m not so much concerned that the Isles are less likely to win with him out of the lineup as I am concerned that Islanders games are much less fun to watch without him.

I think that’s what’s so fun about this season, whichever way it leads (and I’m still not feeling like it leads to playoffs, current standings be damned): Matthew Schaefer is just plain fun to watch. He logs a lot of minutes as a defenseman; he wows with his break-the-mold approach that only a handful of defensemen at any age can do and get away with in the NHL; and of course his personality, approach and maturity is not what you expect from an 18-year-old superstar-in-the-making.

So anyway, Schaefer is a gameday decision for tonight’s meeting with the Devils. This is the final game before a very, very long trip.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

  • Previewing tonight, which is on ESPN+/Hulu for the national viewers. [Isles]
  • Day-to-day: Ilya Sorokin will get the start. [Isles]
  • Double episode of Islander Anxiety! The regular turn, but also the emergency podcast celebrating Schaefer’s big night against the Leafs (and also ranting about the Leafs emptying the bench for their own franchise-specific milestone…“You kind of which Scott Mayfield had gone Micheal Haley on them”). [LHH]
  • The latest 32 Thoughts Podcast (where are the written thoughts???) acknowledges a wonderful night on Long Island for Schaefer and the Isles. [Sportsnet]
  • Duh, he’s now the Calder favorite. [NHL]
  • Not totally sure why they’re showing us this (but I appreciate the effort), but here’s a short clip of Patrick Roy praising his team’s “next man up” mentality. [Isles video]
  • Speaking of Roy, here’s his post-practice availability, with lots of acknowledgment of David Rittich’s effort. [Isles video]
  • Victor Eklund scored, blocked shots and killed penalties to win Player of the Game and help Sweden win gold over Tomas Poletin’s Czech Republic at the WJC. [THN]
  • For the love of Bossy, even Newsday published something about this stupid Tom Brady self-promo video mentioning Matthew Schaefer. Click! Click! Click! Does no one have any shame anymore? [Newsday]
  • Rumor has it there’s a new alternate jersey series, City-like or “hometown remix” maybe, and if this is all true then it looks like the Islanders color base is…white. [Sportslogos]
  • Thanks to commenter 10 to 27 to 23 for posting this Schaefer post-game from the HNIC side:

Elsewhere​


Last night’s scores included the Capitals winning, the Rangers losing in overtime and the Wings passing the Senators in regulation.

  • In proof that Bettman’s Peak Parity is here, the reigning President’s Trophy holding Jets are currently last in the NHL standings and nine points out of the wild card. [NHL]
  • In terrible news for the Russian Olympic Te— oh wait, they can’t attend because dumbass dictator invasion — Igor Shesterkin had to be helped off the ice after what appeared to be a serious knee injury. [ESPN]
  • Five years, $25.75M extension for Christian Dvorak from the Flyers. [TSN]
  • The Hurricanes have acquired left-shot defenseman Juuso E-Z “you may have a lot of umlauts but I got much more” Välimäki from the Mammoth for future considerations. He’s a former 16th overall pick (Calgary) who’s been toiling in the AHL and will remain there for now. [TSN]
  • Longtime Blackhawk (actually, I guess it’s technically Black Hawks player and Blackhawks exec) Bob Pulford has passed away. [AP]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/is.../islanders-vs-devils-matthew-schaefer-sorokin
 
Islanders 9, Devils 0: Franchise records ‘n fun

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Mat Barzal scored the game-winning goal 68 seconds in and then the New York Islanders decided to add eight more, just for insurance.

There was more, of course — much more — to their 9-0 blowout of the New Jersey Devils, including a classic story of hockey goaltending. Ilya Sorokin made a triumphant return from injury to set the Islanders franchise mark for shutouts (again, the Islanders emptied the bench after the milestone…but that’s because they won the damned game).

Sorokin absolutely earned it, keeping the score close, then comfortable, then laughable on his way to making 45 saves. At the other end, the Islanders scored on three of their first four shots as they picked corners on Jacob Markstrom all night long.

The Islanders didn’t have tons of chances early on, but most of them emerged from an increasingly frustrated Devils squad getting stymied at one end, then letting the Isles cruise down to the other.

Oh, also: Anthony Duclair returned from two games of healthy scratches to get his fourth NHL hat trick and first with the Isles. (Also: he was +6.) It was a five-point night for Duclair, who only figured in just over half the Islanders goals, as they tied the franchise record for nine-goal margin of victory.

It should be noted that all of this happened with top scorer Bo Horvat still out of the lineup, and all of this could have gone very differently if Sorokin didn’t make some seriously acrobatic saves to keep the score 1-0, 2-0, 3-0 in the first period.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

J-G Pageau and Jonathan Drouin get the raspberry award for being the only two Islanders not to be a plus on the +/- ledger. On the other side, someone who goes by the name of Arseny Gristyuk was the only Devil not hit with a minus.

Barzal’s opener was a rare but incisive one-timer, but he also had another beautiful long cross-slot pass to set up Duclair’s hat trick goal. The one-timer to make it 1-0:

Tic-tac-toe. What a shot from Barzal. pic.twitter.com/mc9ORsD5hY

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 7, 2026

Here’s Duclair’s hat trick goal:

ANTHONY DUCLAIR HAT TRICK! 🎩 pic.twitter.com/utN0Sj48E3

— Islanders Videos (@SNY_Islanders) January 7, 2026

Duclair’s first two goals were from nearly identical spots — this one was his first (but his second later in the first period came from the same angle after a brilliant backhand stretch pass from Casey Cizikas):

Duclair makes it 2 shots, 2 goals for #isles pic.twitter.com/wR4dVRdQp2

— YESUV🚙 (@IslesWhiteSUV) January 7, 2026

Simon Holmstrom — using his crazy long reach to slip it around Markstrom from below the goal line — Casey Cizikas, Tony DeAngelo and Calum Ritchie also scored.

The final two goals were in the final 90 seconds and would’ve felt gratuitous if the Sheldon Keefe-coached Devils hadn’t just handed easy turnovers and odd-man rushes to the Isles. After the eighth goal, there was a little bit of “rough” (to put it generously) stuff at the ensuing faceoff, but it amounted to nothing. The Devils took zero penalties in the game and then let Cizikas finish scoring at 19:02 on a 2-on-1 pass from Duclair.

Run up the score? Sure. But what else are you supposed to do when the baby is just handing you candy?

What a crazy, lopsided, fun and historic night.

Notes​

  • Sorokin looked good. Reeeaaallly goood. The rest definitely helped whatever ailed him, he did not labor at all while making the kinds of “are you kidding me?” saves that crush spirits.
  • Cole McWard played his second game. Tough to evaluate anything in a 9-0 laugher.
  • Emil Heineman was one of six Islanders skaters who failed to record points, but he easily could’ve had two or three.
  • The Devils are still battling through injuries and clearly had an off night but…not a lot of fire and brimstone in that squad. Wondering if Keefe’s “talented but not playoff ready” rep is going to stay with him.
  • Ryan Pulock pulled ahead of Kenny Jonsson on the franchise all-time list for assists by defensemen. And of course Sorokin now stands alone atop the franchise shutout list, ahead of Chico Resch and Billy Smith.
  • It’s funny to think back on how, as prospects, we worried that both Anders Lee and Sorokin might never wear the uniform, and now they are on the franchise leaderboard.

Heh. “In terms of offensive chance generation, probably the best we’ve played in a long time.”

Sheldon Keefe talks to the media following tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/Z7jk4ujC8x

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 7, 2026

Up Next​


What a way to send them off on a season-long road trip. Seven games, spanning all time zones, starting Thursday with a visit to Uncle Barry in Nashville.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...wout-duclair-sorokin-franchise-shutout-record
 
HOLY CRAP WHAT A WEEK FOR THE ISLES!!! 🔥🔥🔥

Look, I'm a Bills guy through and through but you gotta respect what's happening on Long Island right now. Matthew Schaefer is absolutely RIDICULOUS. An 18-year-old kid putting the team on his back like that against the Leafs? AND doing it while sick with the flu? That's the kind of mentality we love to see. Kid's got that Josh Allen "I don't care about the circumstances, I'm gonna make a play" energy.

And then the Devils game... NINE TO NOTHING?!?! Duclair with the hatty, Sorokin setting the franchise shutout record, and they're doing all this WITHOUT Horvat in the lineup. That's absolutely insane. The Devils looked completely lost out there. Keefe's gotta be sweating bullets after that embarrassment.

Gotta give massive props to Sorokin too. Coming back from injury and immediately looking like a brick wall with 45 saves? That's a statement game right there. The whole "is Sorokin okay?" narrative can take a hike for now.

The only thing that concerns me is this brutal road trip coming up. Seven games across all time zones is no joke, especially when you're riding this kind of high. Nashville, Minnesota, Winnipeg, then the whole northwest swing? That's gonna test this team big time. But hey, if Schaefer can score OT winners while battling the flu, maybe this group is built different.

LET'S GO ISLES! (And Bills Mafia forever, but I can appreciate good hockey when I see it!)
 
Islanders Gameday: The journey begins…

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The hangover (hopefully not) from the Islanders’ raucous and absurd 9-0 romp over the New Jersey Devils Tuesday has hopefully subsided as they begin the first stop in a season-longest seven-game road trip tonight in Nashville.

They’ll presumably continue without Bo Horvat in the lineup, though he is skating and on the road trip with the team.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​


Of all the trivia that came out of that singular night, maybe the most depressing was this, per NHL media and the team’s post-game notes: “The last time the Islanders had two or more hat tricks in a single season was 1993-94 (Pierre Turgeon and Derek King).” Anthony Duclair’s adds to Bo Horvat’s earlier this year to make two in 2025-26.

  • Lots, lots more trivia like that in the Skinny. This one is definitely indicative of our times: “Ilya Sorokin is the first goalie in NHL to record seven career shutouts in which he faced 40 or more shots.” [Isles]
  • Previewing tonight. [Isles]
  • The Isles bring “confidence” into this big road trip, though that can change in a hurry. [Newsday]
  • Full video of Ilya Sorokin’s post-game remarks after setting the franchise shutout record. [Isles]
  • Islanders players praise Jonathan Drouin’s overall play. [Newsday]
  • Islanders react to the WJC results, with this nice line from Czech David Rittich: “That’s why the U.S. media is a little quiet here today and [the] Canadians are not even here.” [Isles]

Mathieu Darche on the Daily Faceoff podcast. For your sanity, his appearance begins after the 7-minute mark. For me the most gratifying part was frank recognition of why the team should, you know, provide more media/social access for fans in a market with a dozen other pro sports teams:

Elsewhere​


Tuesday’s scores included the Sabres winning yet again, the Flyers defeating the Ducks; Wednesday’s scores included losses for both nations’ capitals.

  • Sad news on a NHL legend and gentlemen: Glenn Hall has died at age 94. [NHL]
  • Can Quinn Hughes catch Cale Makar for the Norris? (They better get theirs now before another fella becomes a regular candidate…). [Sportsnet]
  • Or no no, maybe it’s Moritz Seider challenging Makar for the trophy. [Athletic]
  • And speaking of trophy musing, a case for Ilya Sorokin (among a few other no-chancers) go get MVP votes. [Athletic]
  • Yet another Luke Fox jukebox temperature check on the Maple Leafs. [Sportsnet]
  • Ontario’s other team is also struggling. [TSN]
  • Utah will host a Winter Classic against the Avalanche. Should call it the Butch Goring Grizzlies Bowl. [NHL]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/43725/islanders-gameday-the-journey-begins
 
Predators 2*, Islanders 1 (*SO): Back to earth

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The New York Islanders followed up their gate-busting nine-goal romp over New Jersey with one measly goal against the Predators, falling 2-1 via shootout in Nashville.

The outcome gives them a valuable point and keeps them in second place in the Metro (for now) as they begin their seven-game road trip, though they’ll feel it was a missed opportunity to get two.

Then again, though Juuse Saros made some great saves and blanked the Isles in the shootout, David Rittich had some big moments at the other end, including a late scramble where the Isles benefited from some healthy bounces and accidental blocks when regulation was still up for grabs.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

Saros made 30 saves including three stops across two non-threatening Isles power plays, one of which gave up the only Nashville goal. The Predators had just one power play of their own; the teams played 4-on-4 on three separate occasions, as the officials otherwise avoided creating special teams situations.

But there was occasional ill tempers, including when Casey Cizikas was basically slew-footed by Tyson Jost and Cizikas took an offsetting roughing minor. (Officially, it was tripping by Jost and unsportsmanlike conduct by Cizikas, though the ref announced roughing for both through a mangled in-arena mic.)

Another occasion was when Saros made a meal out of contact with Anders Lee above his crease, losing his stick and his earthly balance, while Lee tried to slide a rebound home — Saros stopped it — and then Adam Pelech put it into the net but after the whistle had blown. That brought extended shoving and heated discussion from all on the ice, save Rittich, who likely came up with some Czech one-liners as he observed things from his legal perch 200 feet away.

Simon Holmstrom scored the only Isles goal, midway through the first period with a tired Nashville unit falling victim to a cycle activation by Scott Mayfield(!!), who pinched down the boards, around the net, and threw a pass that threaded through legs to find Holmstrom.

Mayfield “activating.” Holmstrom scores! 🚨1-0 #Isles pic.twitter.com/3cadiBKyjW

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) January 9, 2026

Alas, the Isles power play gave it back seven minutes later when Cole Smith and Ryan O’Reilly out hustled everyone on a broken clear. Smith hunted down the puck, finding the soft spot in the backcheck, then O’Reilly sprinted just ahead of Jonathan Drouin to get free for the one-timer:

Ryan O'Reilly gets one to trickle into the net, tying the game 1-1 before the intermission.

It's O'Reilly second shorthanded goal of the season and 13th overall. Great feed from Cole Smith.pic.twitter.com/Ve3Do4lV3h

— Russell Vannozzi (@RussellV_MSP) January 9, 2026

There were chances, some good saves and posts the rest of the way, but — after an OT largely controlled by the Isles but with few threats other than Matthew Schaefer from the slot — it came down to just one shootout conversion.

In that breakaway drill that defines a “winner” and a “oh, that’s a loser point” in our modern times, O’Reilly and Steven Stamkos were stopped (though Stamkos hit the post) by Rittich, while Mat Barzal, Holmstrom (who also hit the post) and Emil Heineman were stopped by Saros. Filip Forsberg’s slick backhand while Rittich readied a pokecheck proved the difference.

Up Next​


Before they cross the border, the Isles have date with the surging Minnesota Wild and Quinn “not even close to being a Devil” Hughes on Saturday night.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ga...islanders-holmstrom-oreilly-forsberg-shootout
 
Weird Islanders: The Podcast! – Episode 78 – Richard Zednik (with guest Ted Starkey)

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Along with author and Capitals expert Ted Starkey, we remember Richard Zednik, a talented player and borderline legend for three NHL teams, but a footnote in Islanders history.

Zednik started his career with the bang, as an exciting rookie on the Capitals 1998 Stanley Cup final team. He hit a new level after being traded to Montreal and blossoming into a big scorer. But after a disappointing return to Washington, he found himself again shipped off to Long Island. In one of the strangest seasons in Islanders history, Zednik was a true passenger. Ten games, one goal and a disappearance during an electric run to the playoffs, in which he would also play briefly. Later, he had a renaissance with the Panthers and used the Islanders for one final highlight reel goal after coming back from a horrific injury,

Ted talks to us about Zednik’s folk hero status in Washington – including a hilarious and era-appropriate promotional event – and what he meant to that fun squad that made a surprise run to the Cup final. We marvel at Zednik’s numbers with the Canadiens and Panthers and laugh about his incredibly disappointing short time with the Islanders. He showed up, got some fans excited, did very little, dipped out for a while and came back just in time for a five-game playoff wipeout. It was yet another strange element to the extremely strange 2006-07 season, one we can’t get enough of.

Thanks again to Ted for coming on and all his support over the years. Follow his work at Hockey Hot Stove and check out his books, Red Rising: The Washington Capitals Story and Chasing the Dream: Life in the American Hockey League.

WEIRD BONUS MATERIAL

  • Here’s an overview of Zednik’s hockey career. From his rise through the Slovakian hockey system to the Caps, the Habs and his other stops.
  • Zednik was a quality young player for the Caps and even scored a goal in the 1998 Stanley Cup final against future fellow Weird Islander Chris Osgood.
  • But like Ryan Smyth, Jason Blake, Viktor Kozlov and Tom Poti, he decided to leave Long Island that summer, signing a two-year deal with the Panthers.
  • Sadly, it was when he was with Florida that Zednik suffered a terrible skate cut to his neck, courtesy of teammate Olli Jokinen. Fortunately, doctors acted quickly and Zednik was able to play again the next season.
  • More on the skate cut and the immediate medical attention he needed. He talked about it years later as well. At the time, the decision to continue the game was a controversial one.
  • This goal, scored against the Islanders when he was with Florida, is some Spider-Man/Matrix shit.
  • Man, this stuff just seems to find him. In 2012, Zednik was skating with youth players in his native Slovakia when the arena’s roof collapsed and just missed him.


What makes a “Weird Islander?”

We’re always open to suggestions about other Weird Islanders to discuss. Remember the criteria. Candidates must fulfill one of the two of the following:

  • Played one (1) season or less for the Islanders or very short stints over multiple seasons.
  • Be a veteran NHLer who is not generally associated with his time on Islanders.


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Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/ny...guest-ted-starkey-capitals-canadiens-panthers
 
What a wild swing of emotions for Isles fans this week. Going from that historic 9-0 demolition of the Devils to dropping the shootout in Nashville has to be a bit deflating, but honestly a point on the road to start a seven-game trip isn't the worst outcome.

Sorokin setting the franchise shutout record was a nice moment. The guy has been so solid when healthy, and 45 saves in a game where your team scores nine times is almost absurd. He was clearly the reason it stayed close early before the floodgates opened.

The Nashville loss felt pretty typical for a team coming off a huge emotional high. Sometimes you just don't have the same jump, and Saros is capable of stealing games on his own. That shorthanded goal against was rough though - power play giving up goals the other direction is never a good look.

Duclair having that kind of breakout game after being a healthy scratch is interesting. Sometimes guys just need a reset. Being +6 with a hat trick and five points is about as emphatic a response as you can give.

That road trip is going to be a real test. Minnesota's been playing well and traveling through all those time zones wears on teams. Should be telling to see how they hold up without Horvat still. Hopefully he's back soon.

The Zednik podcast episode sounds like a fun throwback. That 2006-07 season really was strange. Barely remember him in an Isles sweater at all.
 
Islanders Gameday: Wild about Quinn

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The Islanders road trip chapter 2 is Saturday night in Minnesota, where Bill Guerin is riding high after acquiring Quinn Hughes while absorbing shots for not taking Your Favorite Player on the U.S. Olympic team that will play next month in the half-constructed rink in Italy.

The Wild are tied with Dallas at 60 points in the insane Central Division arms race: Runaway leader Colorado has 70 points while the top Pacific teams are 20 points behind. Basically, the Wild look destined for one of those devastating 2 vs. 3 first-round matchups with Dallas that gets people so worked up about the current playoff format.

Minnesota has only won five of its last 10 (plus three bonus-round losses) but they are in dangerous form with the addition of Hughes.

The Islanders, despite only getting a point in Nashville, enter the day hanging on to second place in the Metro by a point, but with more games played — and of course the Metro and East in general remains one big slog of meh teams that can be in the playoffs one day, teetering on the basement the next.

First Islanders Goal picks go here.

Islanders News​

  • In addition to that podcast interview the other day, Mathieu Darche held a media availability, sharing updates on Bo Horvat (not traveling with the team overall) and saying all parties are still in a wait-and-see mode regarding UFAs Anders Lee and J-G Pageau. [Isles | Post]
  • Also, Darche went into the rotating cast (and Isaiah George’s multiple injuries) to fill the gap from Alex Romanov’s injury, including leaning on and evaluating what’s in Bridgeport. [Post]
  • Previewing tonight: The Isles haven’t won in Minnesota since 2019-20.[Isles]
  • Slapshots are becoming less common, but Ryan Pulock will still deliver the occasional bomb. [Newsday]

Elsewhere​

  • A deeper dive into Quinn Hughes’ first 12 games with the Wild. [Athletic]
  • Bourne: Eight thoughts on the midpoint of the season. [Sportsnet]
  • Today’s goalies talk about the importance of being mentored by the old guard. [NHL]
  • Ridly Greig is one bright spot in a tough Senators season. [Sportsnet]
  • THE OLYMPIC ICE WILL BE FINE, JUST FINE. [TSN]
  • The Devils have ol’ friend Dennis Cholowski on waivers. [TSN]

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/islanders-news-headlines/43735/islanders-gameday-wild-about-quinn
 
Islanders 4, Wild 3 (OT): Simon and Ilya save the day

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Simon Holmstrom had his biggest game as an Islander and Ilya Sorokin kept the Wild barrage at bay as the Isles won in overtime, 4-3 in Minnesota.

This was an occasion where the Islanders were not the better side, but they refused to wilt nor slow their tempo against one of the top teams in the league. That makes nights like this possible and fun — though also dependent on the top-level goaltending they’ve received from both netminders this season.

Holmstrom’s game winner 94 seconds into overtime capped a sterling night, which also included his impressive shorthanded assist on Casey Cizikas’ equalizer with 26 seconds left in the second period and a shot from distance earlier in that period that tied it at 2-2.

[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]

The Islanders hung in there all night, tying the game three times and mounting counterattacks after each scary phase of sustained Wild pressure. There were many times where the Wild dazzled with their cycling and puck movement — often requiring big stops from Sorokin — but the Isles didn’t respond to those by simply trying to catch their breath; instead, they took their turns attacking.

That included the dying minutes of regulation, when the Quinn Hughes Show — three assists on the night and could’ve been more — was in full effect. But the Isles followed a long stretch in their own zone with a dangerous counterattack that concluded with a classic Anders Lee screen and tip, stopped by Filip Gustavsson.

To meet the Wild’s speed, Patrick Roy made a couple lineup changes, with Adam Boqvist — playing on his natural side — coming in for Cole McWard, and Max Tsyplakov providing a little life in place of Kyle MacLean.

Sorokin was acrobatic as usual, but the night belonged to Holmstrom’s attributes. On the Cizikas shorthander, Holmstrom intercepted a dangerous slot pass, made a move with his long reach to trap a Wild pinch and then lead a semi-odd-man rush. Holmstrom stared down Hughes long enough to create a lane for him to set up Cizikas, who needed to make a smart five-hole move to finish the sequence.

Another wonderful “low IQ” play from Simon Holmstrom and excellent finish from Casey Cizikas shorthanded pic.twitter.com/UzsWQdJs6s

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) January 11, 2026

On the OT winner, Holmstrom circled the zone and accelerated away from a Hughes-Boldy coverage exchange to get himself a lane to Gustavsson. He faked the shot and then used his reach to backhand around the Wild goalie, giving the Isles two points on a night when they could’ve easily netted zero.

SIMON HOLMSTROM IS THE HERO! 🦸‍♂️

His second of the game wins it for the @NYIslanders in @Energizer overtime! pic.twitter.com/eZAzJFAD9L

— NHL (@NHL) January 11, 2026
Simon Holmstrom on his OT winner (second of the night plus one assist as #Isles top Wild 4-3: "I thought when I got it they were kind of doubling up and I saw (Drouin) coming for the dump pass and I was trying to fake it to get some space and I put it in."

— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) January 11, 2026

Up Next​


Chapter 3 of the seven-game road trip comes Tuesday when the Islanders visit the Winnipeg Jets and hang out in Canada for a bit.

Source: https://www.lighthousehockey.com/game-recaps/43738/islander-wild-simon-holmstrom-sorokin
 
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