Ducks Lose to Islanders, Ending Their Three-Game Winning Streak
Islanders Secure 5-2 Victory Over Ducks in Thrilling Matchup
NEW YORK — The New York Islanders showcased their strength on the ice with a decisive 5-2 victory against the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday night. Forward Anders Lee led the charge, scoring two goals and providing two assists, while goaltender David Rittich turned aside 31 shots.
The Islanders jumped out to an early lead, with Simon Holmstrom contributing one goal and two assists. Defensemen Travis Mitchell and Ryan Pulock also found the back of the net, helping the team to secure its fifth win in six games.
For the Ducks, Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry managed to score, but the team saw its three-game winning streak come to an end.
A key moment in the game occurred when Islanders leading scorer Bo Horvat left the ice due to a lower-body injury just seven minutes into the second period after colliding with Ducks defenseman Drew Helleson.
The Islanders established a commanding 3-0 lead in the first period, beginning with Mitchell’s first NHL goal. The 26-year-old was making his seventh appearance following his recall from Bridgeport of the AHL. Lee extended the lead to 2-0 with a power-play goal, which he followed with another man-advantage score late in the period, marking his eighth goal of the season. Lee now boasts 297 career goals, positioning him fifth on the franchise’s all-time list.
In the second period, Carlsson scored for the Ducks, netting his team-leading 17th goal. Terry then brought Anaheim within one, scoring a shorthanded goal early in the third period. However, the Islanders pulled ahead again when Holmstrom added his sixth goal and Pulock scored his first, solidifying the final score.
With this victory, the Islanders now stand at 14-6-2 in their last 22 games. Their recent performance highlights a resurgence against top-tier opponents, including victories over Tampa Bay, Colorado, and Vegas since their defeat to Washington on November 30. Rittich’s sharp play improved his record to 7-3-1, reinforcing the Islanders’ position against a competitive Ducks team, which holds 19 wins in 31 games.
Ducks goaltender Ville Husso recorded 32 saves during the match. The Ducks will next compete against New Jersey on Saturday.
