Islanders 5, Panthers 2: Schenn’s three points lead comeback win

ELMONT, NEW YORK - MARCH 28: The New York Islanders celebrate after a second period goal against the Florida Panthers at UBS Arena on March 28, 2026 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Steven Ryan/NHLI via Getty Images) | NHLI via Getty Images A sluggish first period where the Islanders gave up two goals in an afternoon game? I wouldn’t blame you if you turned your TV off after Matthew Tkachuk put the puck in the toy department with a between-the-legs shot.

But… you would have missed a five-goal comeback win, led by Brayden Schenn’s three points and Matthew Schaefer’s record-tying two assists. Schaefer now has 19 points in his last 18 games, and has a few more games to claim the Islanders record for himself and chase the NHL rookie defenseman goal record, too. The Islanders put up 40 shots on Daniil Tarasov, and Ilya Sorokin turned away 19 of 21 shots in another solid win for him as he made some big saves to help the Islanders keep their second period momentum, especially.

The fourth line was super involved as well, with Marc Gatcomb’s and Casey Cizikas’ goals bookending the second period comeback. It was nice to see a big statement win as the playoff race continues be volatile; the Islanders are now (temporarily, at least) in second place in the Metro Division. The other afternoon game with Eastern Conference playoff implications went the Islanders’ way as well, with Tampa beating Ottawa in regulation.

[ NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick ] First Period Kyle MacLean had a great chance in front after a loose puck came to him right in front of the net, but Mike Benning blocked the shot. Ilya Sorokin made a big save on Carter Verhaege, and Emil Heineman rang the bar on a shot from the crease. Matthew Tkachuk left the zone early and got behind the defense, taking advantage of an Adam Boqvist turnover to make it 1-0 Panthers.