Throughout both of the games the Islanders have played without Bo Horvat, it’s been bend-don’t-break hockey. They finally broke in the third period Tuesday, ceding a one-goal lead they’d hung onto for most of the night by the skin of their teeth and losing a 3-2 decision to the Red Wings on Alex DeBrincat’s late power-play winner.

For the first time in years, the New York Islanders feel alive. Not competitive in a grind-it-out way. Alive in a way that pulls you forward in your seat. Since

Matthew Schaefer keeps proving why he was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The New York Islanders ' rookie scored again on Saturday, and he keeps climbing up the hockey record boards. His goal Saturday was his ninth of the season. That already ranks fourth all-time among 18-year old defenseman.

But thanks to Sorokin’s 32 saves, they took a 3-2 victory on Emil Heineman’s shootout winner and a sweep of the season series against the Lightning for the first time since 2013. Combined with Pat LaFontaine’s emotional induction into the Islanders’ Hall of Fame, it made for a perfect afternoon for the organization.

For years, the debate over the world’s best goalie has revolved around four familiar names. Andrei Vasilevskiy and Sergei Bobrovsky have both won the Stanley Cu

The Islanders are on pace for 102 points and sit second in the East. The standings can shift quickly, though, and prudence may be wise.

The Islanders are a flawed hockey team, but they are winning games in a conference where no one really looks like a traditional Stanley Cup contender.

The New York Islanders have never needed fireworks to make noise. They have preferred substance over sizzle, structure over chaos and patience over panic.

The Islanders’ 2025 seventh-round pick (202nd overall) ended his three-game goal drought later in the game. Kvasnicka extended the Vees lead to 6-1 as he crept into the slot for his own one-timer that found the back netting less than a minute into the third period for his 14th goal of the season.