In an exciting showdown on March 20, 2025, the New York Islanders triumphed over the Montreal Canadiens with a final score of 4-3 in dramatic overtime at the UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. The game marked the Islanders' third consecutive victory, fueled by the remarkable performance of Bo Horvat, who scored two crucial goals, including the game-winner in overtime.
Missing key player Alexander Romanov due to illness, the Islanders relied on the contributions of others to secure the win. The game kicked off with a power play for the Islanders after Brendan Gallagher was penalized for goaltender interference against goalie Ilya Sorokin. It didn’t take long for the Islanders to capitalize on this opportunity. Just five minutes and thirty-seven seconds into the first period, Anthony Duclair scored, assisted by Anders Lee, who celebrated a milestone of his own with this play, marking his 500th career NHL point.
The Canadiens, however, didn’t roll over easily. At 11:57 of the first period, Joshua Roy scored for Montreal, netting a rebound and equalizing the score. Tensions ran high as the Islanders found themselves on the defensive. Despite a strong showing by the Canadiens, including a total of fifteen shots on goal in the first period, the Islanders managed to fend off further scoring opportunities.
The second period presented more challenges for the Islanders as they faced off against a surging Canadiens team. They found themselves in a penalty kill situation when Adam Pelech was called for interference at 9:22. After some back-and-forth play, they regained momentum when Simon Holmstrom netted a power-play goal at 16:40, extending his scoring streak to three games.
The Islanders faced yet another test as the Canadiens, now down 2-1, pressed heavily. However, advancement for Montreal was temporarily halted when Nick Suzuki had a goal disallowed for offsides after a thorough review, a key moment that could have shifted the game’s momentum entirely.
As the game progressed into the third period, the Islanders managed to extend their lead to 3-1 with Horvat’s remarkable goal just over two minutes into the period. This play showcased Horvat's power and skill, turning the tide in favor of the Islanders. But just as the Islanders seemed to gain control, the Canadiens responded with a power-play goal from Patrik Laine at 4:32, narrowing the gap to 3-2.
Then came the pivotal moment—the Canadiens tied the game with under six minutes remaining when Gallagher pulled off a breakaway shot that levelled the score at 3-3, bringing a palpable tension to the arena.
As the clock ticked down, both teams battled fiercely to find a winning edge. Regulation came to a close with a total shot count favoring Montreal at 15-7 in the third period. Both teams entered overtime with the stakes higher than ever.
In overtime, Horvat continued to shine. With just 90 seconds left, he intercepted a loose puck from Lane Hutson and initiated a swift counterattack. After receiving a feed from Tony DeAngelo, he drove up the left wing and fired a shot past Canadiens goalie Sam Montembeault, securing the victory for the Islanders.
This thrilling overtime win not only bolstered the Islanders' standing as they now lie just two points away from the Canadiens for the second wild-card playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but also showcased the resilience and determination of the team after overcoming a four-game skid earlier this season. The Islanders are now 7-3-1 in their last eleven games, marking a significant uptick in performance.
Reflecting on the match, Islanders’ coach highlighted the importance of this win, noting that they are finally hitting their stride at a crucial point in the season. With Horvat’s standout performance and Sorokin making history as the first Islanders goalie with multiple points in a game, the team is generating significant momentum as the playoffs approach.
Looking ahead, the Islanders will take on the Calgary Flames at home on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 4:00 PM ET, while the Canadiens will host the Colorado Avalanche on the same night. The stage is set for more thrilling matchups as teams vie for playoff positioning.
