NEW YORK (AP) — A dramatic turnaround unfolded on March 16, 2025, as the New York Islanders mounted an impressive comeback against the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Florida Panthers, claiming victory with a score of 4-2. What seemed like another doomed night quickly turned vibrant as the Islanders responded valiantly after trailing 2-0 late in the game.
The match began to swing dramatically at 9:33 p.m. when Marc Gatcomb netted his fourth goal of the season to give hope to the Islanders’ faithful. Following tandem forechecking efforts by Gatcomb and Pierre Engvall, Anthony DeAngelo delivered the puck, which Gatcomb deflected and, after securing the rebound, executed a swift wraparound to beat Panthers' goalie Vitek Vanecek. This thrilling play ignited the crowd at UBS Arena and provided the Islanders with the momentum they desperately needed.
Though they had struggled to score, having recorded just one goal over the previous 134 minutes of play, the Islanders found their rhythm following Gatcomb's goal. Maxim Tsyplakov soon followed suit, scoring his first goal of 2025 and breaking his 27-game scoring drought. With only 12:16 left on the clock, he seamlessly converted on a breakaway after being delivered the puck by Mike Reilly, who made his return to the lineup after undergoing heart surgery.
Just 17 seconds after Tsyplakov's scores, Noah Dobson extended the Islanders' lead to 3-2 with his seventh goal of the season. Capturing the moment, he dodged Florida's new defenseman Seth Jones, maneuvered the puck to his forehand, and fired it past Vanecek, showcasing skill and poise under pressure.
Simon Holmstrom capped the scoring frenzy with an empty-netter at 19:53, securing the victory for New York. Ilya Sorokin delivered another solid performance, making 22 saves to keep the Panthers at bay. Despite Florida's Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov each scoring earlier, the Islanders did not falter when it mattered most.
The win was significant not just for the standings, as the Islanders sat four points outside of playoff contention, but also for their resilience. Team captain Anders Lee expressed pride in his team’s determination, stating, “We knew the opportunity tonight to keep ourselves relevant… We needed a comeback win.” With just 16 games left, the Islanders remain scrappy contenders. Their victory on Sunday demonstrated just how this team refuses to succumb to defeat even amid challenging circumstances.
Coach Patrick Roy emphasized the importance of the victory, remarking on both the team’s heart and their struggle to regain momentum this season after key player trades and injuries. With Mathew Barzal still sidelined indefinitely and Adam Pelech dealing with day-to-day issues, the Islanders have had to dig deep.
Historically, the Islanders have found ways to claw back when the stakes are high. Their victory over the Panthers marked yet another moment reminiscent of their rally to the playoffs last season, where they ended up winning eight out of their last eleven games.
Now, as both big changes loom within the roster and the playoffs beckon enticingly, the Islanders aim to sustain their fighting spirit. The next challenge lies straight ahead, with expectations and pressure mounting. Nevertheless, they have shown they can rise to the occasion, making it clear to fans and analysts alike: the race for the playoffs is anything but over.
With determination fired by their recent success and adaptations to their lineup, expect the Islanders to continue pushing forward as they fight for every point to secure their playoff ambitions.