In New York, Anders Lee delivered an impressive performance with two goals and two assists, helping the New York Islanders secure a 5-2 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. David Rittich contributed significantly by making 31 saves. Simon Holmstrom added a goal, two assists, and played a solid defensive role, while Travis Mitchell and Ryan Pulock each scored, marking the Islanders’ fifth win in their last six games.
For the Ducks, Leo Carlson and Troy Terry scored, but their three-game winning streak came to an end. Islanders’ top scorer Bo Horvat exited the game early in the second period due to a lower-body injury after a collision with Anaheim’s Drew Helleson.
The Islanders quickly built a 3-0 lead starting with Mitchell’s first NHL goal, coming in his seventh game after being called up from Bridgeport in the AHL. Lee scored twice, including a power-play goal to make it 2-0, adding to his career total of 297 goals, which ranks fifth in franchise history. Karlsson scored his 17th point on his second shot, and Terry responded with a shorthanded goal early in the third to bring Anaheim closer at 3-2. Holmstrom’s sixth goal and Pulock’s first helped the Islanders pull away.
The Islanders have been strong this season, going 14-6-2 over their last 22 games and performing well against top-tier teams since a loss to Washington on November 30. Notably, they’ve defeated teams like Tampa Bay twice, Colorado, and Vegas during this stretch. Rittich’s win improved his record to 7-3-1 with a standout performance against the Ducks, while Anaheim’s goalie Husso made 32 saves.
Next up, the Ducks face the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, and the Islanders will host Tampa Bay the same day.
Fan Take: This game highlights the Islanders’ growing momentum and depth, essential for their playoff ambitions. Hockey fans should watch closely as players like Anders Lee and the emerging talents prove that this team can challenge the league’s elite, adding excitement and competitiveness to the sport.
