Islanders Fight Past Wild For 3-1 Win

ELMONT N.Y. -- The New York Islanders, despite recently slipping in the standings, fought well Friday at UBS Arena and eventually picked up two hard earned points by defeating the Minnesota Wild 3-1. 

Ilya Sorokin made 27 saves leading the way, and now will face Alex Ovechkin, who on Sunday will have a chance to break the NHL goal record. 

The first half of the opening period saw the Islanders get chance. Simon Holmstrom had the best opportunity but could not wrap it past the pad of Wild goalie, Filip Gustavsson.

Holmstrom later drew the game’s first penalty but New York did not get a shot on net.

Not long after the power play ended Hudson Fasching got called for holding Marco Rossi, giving the Wild their first man-advantage. 

Minnesota fired away at Sorokin, getting four shots on net but none lit the lamp. 

The pace then picked up and the Wild carried the play, finishing the period outshooting the Islanders 11-4. New York was held without a shot from the 8:47 mark.

Mats Zuccarello opened the scoring early in the second period from a bad angle. With the puck below the goal line, Zuccarello whacked at it and it deflected off Sorokin’s mask and into the net to give the Wild a 1-0 lead. 

Minnesota goal!

Scored by Mats Zuccarello with 18:18 remaining in the 2nd period.

Assisted by Marcus Johansson.

New York: 0
Minnesota: 1#MINvsNYI#Isles#mnwildpic.twitter.com/FAtYcnD6QY

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 5, 2025

Not even a minute later the Islanders responded to tie the game at 1-1.

Pierre Engvall had a short-side shot saved by Gustavsson. Casey Cizikas tracked down the puck, cycled it to the point, and tipped a shot from Noah Dobson that made its way into the net for his seventh goal of the year.

#Isles even things up.

Casey Cizikas tips Dobson’s shot with 17:42 to go in the second. pic.twitter.com/TSMELkExkL

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) April 5, 2025

Not long after, New York found themselves with a 2-1 lead. 

Max Tsyplakov made a nifty move in the neutral zone to set up Holmstrom charging towards the net. Holmstrom tried to set up Alexander Romanov, who joined the rush, for a tap-in but it bounced off Freddy Gaudreau’s skate and in. 

Holmstrom 🚨#Isles get two goals in 1:44 to take a 2-1 lead. pic.twitter.com/vgFy4M7MvL

— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) April 5, 2025

Holmstrom, already with a career high in goals, sits only two away from the 20-mark with 18 as the season winds down..

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