Islanders Edge Wild 4-3 in Overtime Thriller (11 Jan, 2026)
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The New York Islanders secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night, with Simon Holmstrom's game-winning goal in overtime. This was the Islanders' third win in their last four games, showcasing their resilience and offensive prowess.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Casey Cizikas also contributed to the Islanders' success, with Cizikas scoring a crucial short-handed goal in the second period. Ilya Sorokin, the Islanders' goaltender, made 32 saves, including 17 in a scoreless third period, demonstrating his reliability in crucial moments.
The Wild, on the other hand, suffered their third loss in four games, with Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Ben Jones scoring for Minnesota. Quinn Hughes assisted on all three Wild goals, and Filip Gustavsson stopped 23 shots. Despite their efforts, the Wild couldn't secure the win.
In the overtime period, Holmstrom's backhander from the slot proved to be the game-winner, beating Gustavsson and securing the Islanders' victory. Minnesota took a one-goal lead three times in the first two periods, including Ben Jones' first NHL goal, but the Islanders consistently responded to even the score.
The Wild were playing their first home game since December 23, and they had just returned from a seven-game road swing that coincided with the Twin Cities hosting the World Juniors Championships. The Islanders, meanwhile, will travel to Winnipeg on Tuesday, while the Wild will host New Jersey on Monday.
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