The Islanders found themselves momentarily in first place in the Eastern Conference by total points (if not pts. percentage) on Dec. 13, 2025, after sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning with the third win over the previous first-holders in the past couple of weeks. Like the previous two games with the Lightning, it was close, nerve-wracking […]
The Islanders found themselves momentarily in first place in the Eastern Conference by total points (if not pts. percentage) on Dec. 13, 2025, after sweeping the Tampa Bay Lightning with the third win over the previous first-holders in the past couple of weeks.
Like the previous two games with the Lightning, it was close, nerve-wracking and could’ve gone either way — this one arguably should’ve gone the other way based on how the Lightning controlled play after falling behind 2-0 in the first period.
Tampa chipped away to force overtime, which was a back-and-forth 3-on-3 session, before Emil Heineman converted the decisive tally for another game-winner. What a shot, that guy; and what a shootout performance, worthy of the number 51.
(Speaking of legendary numbers, Pat LaFontaine was honored in a sweet ceremony today with overdue induction into the Islanders Hall of Fame, celebrating with family. The past two times he was involved with the org, ownership issues always sent it sideways; so it’s nice to have a stable group in place that sought to bring him into the fold.)
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Befitting the day’s honoree, the Islanders’ two goals, and the winning shootout tally, were by their most recent and exciting additions.
Matthew Schaefer opened scoring three minutes into the game on a 4-on-3 power play, swapping places with mobile running mate Mat Barzal to create some space and then shooting from a dangerous spot after a give-and-take with Anthony Duclair.
Duclair picked up another assist after leading a left-wing rush and then feeding Calum Ritchie to double the lead at the midway point of the first.
And later, Heineman was the shootout hero with his sizzling shot (Barzal also converted on his attempt).
When asking how the Islanders are here, at this point of the season, and with season-ending injuries to Alex Romanov and Kyle Palmieri and with leading scorer Bo Horvat out of the lineup, those three 2025 additions are big part of the answer.
Of course the team’s play has also stabilized, led by the goaltending. They were faaaaar from the team in control today, but Ilya Sorokin (32 saves) had another great afternoon — and a timely post as the Isles hung on as regulation wound down. And even when things looked lopsided (shots: 34-17 for Tampa, attempts about double that), the Isles’ were disciplined in defense rather than running around with their hair on fire.
And, finally, it makes a huge difference that they’ve been coming out on the right side of the OT/shootout coin-toss ledger. Last season, that was an unending problem, this season Patrick Roy describes their confidence after the 60th minute as “night and day.”
It’s not a recipe to win every night, but it can work every now and then — including three meetings that must’ve frustrated the hell out of the Lightning.
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The Islanders’ peek into the Eastern penthouse (41 points) came of course before the evening games, with both Washington and Carolina (40 points each and games in hand) playing later.
But it’s definitely something that they’re here, and this far into the season, all while weathering their own share of injuries.
The next few days are a little lighter, as they travel to face the Red Wings on Tuesday before coming back for a back-to-back Friday with the Hughes-less Canucks and Saturday in Buffalo.
Category: General Sports
