NEW YORK — — Anders Lee netted the decisive goal in the last minute, while rookie Matthew Schaefer contributed two additional goals and an assist, leading the New York Islanders to a narrow 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday evening.
David Rittich stopped 28 shots while Carson Soucy and Bo Horvat found the net, leading the Islanders to their fifth consecutive victory and their eighth win in the last ten games.
Islanders Secure Narrow Victory
The 18-year-old Schaeffer has netted 20 goals, just three shy of Hall of Famer Brian Leetch, who holds the record for the highest number of goals by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.
Sam Bennett netted two goals, while Sandis Vilmanis and Sam Reinhart each contributed one for Florida, marking their second consecutive loss. Sergei Bobrovsky recorded 21 saves for the two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Panthers, who find themselves eight points behind a wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.
With just 32 seconds remaining, Lee executed a backhand-to-forehand maneuver to score his third consecutive goal, securing the lead for the Islanders.
Schaefer Shines as Rookie
Schaefer had put the Islanders ahead 4-3 with his second goal of the match during the third period when he skated in from the blue line and outmaneuvered Bobrovsky with a wrist shot.
With just 1:58 left on the clock, Reinhart equalized the score at 4 after coach Paul Maurice opted to replace Bobrovsky with an additional skater.
The Panthers established a 2-0 advantage by netting two goals in the opening period. At 3:44, Vilmanis executed a backhand shot that slipped through Rittich’s legs, followed by Bennett scoring on a power play later in the same period.
Bennett’s Goals Not Enough
The Islanders narrowed the gap to 2-1 late in the first period when Schaefer’s slap shot deflected multiple times and sailed over Bobrovsky.
With under eight minutes remaining in the second period, Soucy equalized the score at 2.
Bennett put Florida back in front at 3-2 with his second goal, deftly sliding a backhand shot beneath Rittich’s blocker. However, Horvat netted his team-leading 25th goal to equalize at 3-3 with under three minutes left in the second period.
Islanders Extend Winning Streak
Islanders winger Jonathan Drouin was sidelined due to an injury affecting his lower body.
Coming up next
The Panthers are set to travel to New Jersey this Tuesday.
The Islanders are set to travel to Anaheim on Wednesday, kicking off a four-game road trip.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
