In the NHL game between the New York Islanders and the Carolina Hurricanes, the Islanders emerged victorious with a 5-4 win. Notable moments included Sebastian Aho and Anders Lee scoring for the Islanders, and a strong performance by Ilya Sorokin in goal. The game saw a total of 9 goals, with the Islanders holding a 3-1 lead after the first period. The Hurricanes fought back, but the Islanders managed to hold on for the win. In another game, the New York Rangers secured a 4-3 overtime victory against the Buffalo Sabres, with Chris Kreider scoring the game-winning goal. The Rangers had to overcome a 3-2 deficit in the third period to force overtime. Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves for the Rangers. The Islanders and the Rangers head into the Christmas break with positive results.
Happy holidays everyone! The Sabres’ holiday break runs through Tuesday. They’ve got a bit of momentum after a 9-3 win over the Leafs and OT loss to the Rangers. My story from NY, where the Sabres had several chances to beat the best team in the NHL: https://t.co/vkKqkiHtY8
The @LAKings rank second in the NHL in wins by 3+ goals this season. As of late, though, it hasn’t been a bad thing to have to bite the nails a bit. Heading into the holiday break, on @lakingsinsider! https://t.co/KngveCZVKB
With a win over the @NHLFlames, @LAKings show their strengths and some flaws as they head into the Christmas holiday break. ⤵️ https://t.co/3D7prbFKy4
Spot on @4EverBlueshirts. Igor in OT. Holy hell. #NYR https://t.co/S1S4ZbzIul
My latest for @TheHockeyNews: The Philadelphia Flyers Give Fans An Early Christmas Gift: The Flyers (18-11-4) sit 3rd in the Metropolitan at Christmas break. Who would have thought? #LetsGoFlyers https://t.co/CVPE6MXoE0
The #Isles enter Christmas break 2nd in the Metro— which is fine with me, all things considered. And after a win in Carolina, Stanta (Not Santa) Claus Brings an early holiday Gift @TheHockeyNews ⤵️ https://t.co/JDeoYu004C
The NHL is officially on holiday break. The Flyers are 3rd in the Metro with 40 points This is unbelievable, most did not expect this This team is well coached and has great goaltending. Yes, both of those things are true. Enjoy the break #Flyers #LetsGoFlyers
Anders Lee, Islanders clip Hurricanes https://t.co/2C2Lb7Hchg https://t.co/lmxjws3IDx
Chris Kreider scored 2:28 into overtime, Igor Shesterkin made 27 saves and the Rangers beat the Sabres 4-3 on Saturday night. https://t.co/ak6gwLEw2F
Anders Lee scoring the GWG (his 250th #NHL goal) & added 2 assists as the #isles defeated #CreateChaos 5-4 in Raleigh. Ilya Sorokin made 36 saves for the win; NYI is 2nd in the Metro at the holiday break. #TheSkinny has all the details: https://t.co/zs6MSdL5uh #NHLStats
Anders Lee had a goal and two assists to lead the Islanders to a 5-4 win over the Hurricanes on Saturday night. https://t.co/bgPxwy6cEJ
Penalty kill has been excellent tonight. Here's to hoping it's not needed again until after Christmas. 4-3 LAK, six minutes left in the third.
Blake Coleman now leads Calgary with 12 goals on the season. One on the powerplay and one shorthanded tonight in Los Angeles. #Flames trail 4-3 in the third period.
CGY Goal - Flames pull to within one with 12:42 left in the third. Power-play goal, Coleman off a rebound. 4-3 Kings.
In-arena atmosphere has been excellent tonight. Maybe the best of the year IMO. Engaged with every play. Deserves a win. 4-2 Kings after 40 minutes, LAK has 3:48 of PK time to begin the third.
End of two, 4-2 LAK. Kings responded well to the Flames tying goal but will start the third down a man for 3:49.
LAK Goal - Laferriere gets what he deserves as the Kings pull back ahead. He's been quite noticeable tonight and he gets a good bounce off the skate and in. 3-2.
Laferriere re-directs a pass from Doughty past Markstrom to give LA the lead again, 3-2 LAK.
Chris Kreider’s OT goal sends Rangers into break with win over Sabres https://t.co/IM82AMOr3M https://t.co/Fud5A0TrOC
#NYR hit the Xmas break 23-8-1, league-best .734 pts %. #Isles hit the Xmas break 16-8-9, 11-2-4 in the last 17 games. I hit the Xmas break to say enjoy some down time and your loved ones. Back next week with some good stuff on both teams
Two Sebastian Ahos scoring in the same game and two Michigans on the same night. What a Festivus.
Chris Kreider’s third career overtime goal marked his 41st career game-winning goal, tying Mark Messier for fourth most in @NYRangers history. Rod Gilbert (52), Jean Ratelle (46) and Bill Cook (42) sit among the top three. #NHLStats: https://t.co/6LHXm7S69b https://t.co/2QyYjA6QTE
KREIDER CALLS GAME! 🗽 Chris Kreider nets the @Energizer overtime winner for the @NYRangers! https://t.co/FIOVl97TTs
It wasn't the cleanest win the #NYR have had this season, but they'll take it. Igor made some huge saves and Kreider finished it off in OT, sending the Rangers into the Christmas break happy 👇https://t.co/XfPAPs8GUE
Shesterkin won the game with three huge overtime saves on a Mittelstadt breakaway and Mittelstadt again off a 2-on-1 and then on Tuch who was open on the rebound. Kreider out battled Dahlin in front, took the pass from Zibanejad and the Rangers win 4-3.
FINAL — #NYR 4, Sabres 3 (OT) Chris Kreider scores in overtime off a beautiful backhanded pass from Mika Zibanejad. Rangers go into Christmas break on a high note.
NY Rangers win in OT. Great pass break up by Taron Johnson.
The patience by Mika, and he sets up Kreider for the winner. 4-3, #NYR. But they don't win without Igor's heroics in OT.
LAK Goal - Home BY Christmas! Byfield with a one-timer from the center point that sneaks through the wickets to open the scoring. 1-0.
Kreider wins it for the Rangers in overtime.
#Isles Overtime coming up at 10:30 after 5-4 win over #Canes: https://t.co/pnA98kyeaz
Byfield one-times a shot from the blue line and it sneaks past Markstrom, 1-0 LAK.
In their last game before the Christmas break, #Isles weather the storm, beating #CauseChaos 5-4 to hold onto the second spot in the Metro @TheHockeyNews https://t.co/ibnLETbKT6 https://t.co/ibnLETbKT6
#Isles hold on for 5-4 win over Hurricanes. Some wrestling after final buzzer. They've collected at least a point in 17 of their last 19 games. They're now in sole possession of second place in the Metro.
The final horn sounds and the #Canes' third period push comes up just short. 5-4 is tonight's final in favor of the Islanders, snapping Carolina's six-game point streak.
As overtime starts, the Rangers will have a 46-second power play. It's 3-3.
Sorokin slides across crease to make save with 5.6 seconds left in regulation. Stops Noesen to keep it 5-4
Overtime upcoming. #NYR will begin the OT with 46 seconds remaining on their power play. It'll be a 4-on-3 power play.
#NYR and Sabres headed to OT! https://t.co/aCZidbuWCY
Nelson's stick breaks on the face-off. Sorokin covers a loose puck. #Isles
Sabres and Rangers are going to overtime at Madison Square Garden.
Palmieri ices the puck with 1:00 to play in the third. #Isles use their timeout as Doug Houda draws up a play.
And now, Dahlin is sent off for hooking Mika, with 1:14 left, and 24 seconds left in the BUF power play. So 4-on-4 for 24 seconds, then #NYR finish regulation on the power play.
Rasmus Dahlin takes a bad penalty at the end of his shift, which will give the Rangers a power play late in regulation.
Goodrow sent off for high-sticking Tuch with 2:51 remaining. #NYR will need to kill this to at least earn a point.
The Sabres' first power play of the night comes with 2:51 left in the third period. It's still 3-3.
This one won't count for a kick. But, #Isles get so lucky after a sloppy play by Pageau. Remain up 5-4.
#Isles go for a change but Pageau turns it over. Off the rush, CAR throws the puck at the guy crashing the net. Sorokin makes a great save but then they score. Play is under review for a kick by Necas.
Necas clearly clearly clearly kicked that in. No goal. Still 5-4 #Isles at 13:49 of the third period
Not sure how long Jeff Skinner was out of the box after finishing his misconduct penalty, but he's back in there, for tripping. And #NYR goes to the power play.
Jeff Skinner takes a tripping penalty in the defensive zone. The Rangers' top-ranked power play takes the ice with 8:28 left in regulation.
Staal off for tripping with 10:26 to play in the third. #Isles up 5-4 after just allowing a PPG.
5-4 now as Romanov blocks back-door pass but it goes right back to Noesen. Lee penalty comes back to bite #Isles.
#Isles back on the PK as Lee goes off with 12:12 to play in the third for hooking. Not a smart decision by Lee. 5-3 NYI.
Jordan Greenway didn't assist on this goal, but he deserves credit for that forecheck that caused the Rangers defenseman to play that puck off the end boards. https://t.co/vHgL6vOfqs
Lee off for hooking at 7:48 of the third, Isles up 5-3
Greenway pressured Schneider into a turnover and the puck winds up in front to an open Mittelstadt and it's 3-3. Right after Luukkonen huge save on Pitlick.
Anders Lee with 9 goals in the last 17+ games -- a huge turnaround after 1 in the first 15. Also huge that #Isles don't need a top-line wing at the moment, or perhaps at all
Casey Mittelstadt's goal ties it. Jordan Greenway's pressure on the forecheck caused the Rangers to play the puck off the end boards, which sent it to the slot. It's 3-3 with 12:41 left in the 3rd period.
Bad turnover from Schneider directly leads to the tying goal. His attempt to clear the puck went into the side of the #NYR net and right to Mittelstadt for an easy finish. 3-3.
Bouncing puck goes right to Casey Mittelstadt, who puts it away to tie this game up 3-3. #NYR
KRIS LETANG TIES IT UP WITH 2:26 TO GO! You could feel that coming. The Penguins were pushing. They've had much more urgency in this final 20 minutes compared to the first 40. It's been a dominant third from Pittsburgh, who has 22 shots and counting in the period.
Anders Lee has scored his 250th career goal. #Isles
#Isles Anders Lee has goals in three straight games.
Lee catches Kochetkov looking, well, not at him, and it's a 5-3 lead with 16:16 to play in the third. Three-assist night for Barzal. #Isles
Isles answer right back. Anders Lee under the pad of Kochetkov. If Rod wanted to put Yaniv Perets into the game this would be the time for it. 3rd unacceptable goal of the night
The Islanders get a quick response and their advantage is back to two. Anders Lee gets left unmarked at the glove side circle and he sneaks one underneath Kochetkov. 16:16 to go in regulation. 5-3.
Slavin. 4-3 now with 18:04 to play in the third as he rifles one threw a Palmieri screen. #Isles
Hurricanes back within 4-3 at 1:56 of the third. Slavin with blast from the left circle.
The #Canes are back within one! Jaccob Slavin absolutely CRANKS one from the point and we've got a 4-3 game.
That's not a power-play for the #Avs, but it might as well be. Bo Byram collected the puck in the high slot, dusted it off, held it some more and then wired one past Connor Ingram. 1-0 Avs
Bowen Byram scores a goal seconds after Keller comes out of the box, and it's 1-0.
End of two #Isles 4 (Aho, Nelson, Horvat, Reilly) #Hurricanes 2 (Tervainen, Aho PP) Hurricanes up on shots 25-18. A lot of that period was played in Isles end. But they're 20 minutes from heading into three-day break with a much-needed two points.
Sabres trail 3-2 at the end of the 2nd period. Their lines were out of whack because of Skinner's 10-minute misconduct. Big penalty kill after the Erik Johnson fight. Buffalo is 3-15-2 when trailing at the 2nd intermission this season.
40 minutes down, 20 (or more) to go in Raleigh. 4-2, Islanders. Rod Brind'Amour said during the mid-period interview that his team just isn't sharp tonight and the defense, usually the best part of the team's game, has been shaky.
2:39 to play in th second. #Isles up 4-2 as Reilly scores in Raleigh. I'll see myself out.
Erik Johnson didn't force Cuylle into a fight. He challenged Cuylle, who accepted. Shouldn't be an extra penalty, imo, then the officials tried to send a message by giving Johnson and Skinner 10-minute misconducts for disagreeing. Weak. https://t.co/bzOjloo0kt
Reilly from downtown gives #Isles a 4-2 lead with 5:48 to go in the second. Lee steal sets things up and Kochetkov can't track the knuckler.
4-2, Islanders. That's a momentum killer. Mike Reilly's drive from the point finds twine after a turnover by the #Canes at neutral ice.
Mike Reilly with another goal Kochetkov might want back, 4-2 #Isles at 14:12 of the second.
OK, some clarification. Erik Johnson gets an instigator, so 2 for that, 5 for fighting, and a 10-minute misconduct. And Skinner gets a 10-minute misconduct. https://t.co/gXYgM2rU8R
Jeff Skinner was given a 10-misconduct. That explains why Granato was so angry. Erik Johnson also received a 10-minute misconduct. Will Cuylle got away with just the 5-minute fighting major.
More penalties: Johnson also gets a 10-minute misconduct, as does Jeff Skinner. I'm honestly not sure what happened with Skinner 🤷♂️
Quick note just now. Slavin was given a lane to shoot or make a pass at the back post, but Romanov had the back post covered (an issue this season), so Slavin shot it, and Sorokin made this save. #Isles
Cuylle with a big hit behind on Ryan Johnson behind the Buffalo net, so another Johnson (Erik) steps in and challenges him. Spirited fight ensues, with Cuylle eventually dropping him. E. Johnson gets hit with unsportsmanlike, which he's not happy about, and #NYR to the PP.
Will Cuylle with a big hit on Casey Mittelstadt, who went down to the ice hard. Erik Johnson takes exception and challenges No. 50 to a fight, which Cuylle gets the better of. #NYR
Erik Johnson didn't like a hit on his D partner, Ryan Johnson, so he challenged Will Cuylle to a fight. Landed a few rights before it got broken up. Rangers getting a power play out of this. Erik Johnson is furious.
CAR with a huge push over the last minute, but Sorokin eventually holds on for a whistle. 12:05 to go in the second. #Isles up 3-2.
Both Sebastian Ahos have scored in the Islanders-Hurricanes game. Lovely.
Both Sebastian Ahos have scored in the Islanders-Hurricanes lead. Lovely.
#Isles back on the PK as Engvall goes off for interference with 17:34 to play in the second. Looks like just a collision to me, with pressure behind him and no room behind the net. And while I'm typing this Jarvis goes off for hooking Romanov. 4-on-4 for 1:57.
Hurricanes need just three seconds to negate their PP. Jarvis to the box so four on four for 1:57.
Now Engvall to the penalty box for interference at 2:26 of the second, Isles up 3-2
Both Sebastians Aho scored in the same game! Another Festivus miracle!
Sebastian Aho scored the first goal in the Islanders-Hurricanes game. Sebastian Aho scored the most recent goal in the Islanders-Hurricanes game. They are two different players.
Eight seconds into their PP, it's now 3-2 as Aho beats Sorokin blocker side. #Isles
Aho power play goal! Andrei to Bunting, shot blocked out to Aho (ours) who ripped for 3-2. 59 seconds into the period
Now both Sebastian Ahos have a goal. 'Canes version with a PPG from left circle to cut #Isles lead to 3-2 59 seconds into second and nine seconds into 'Canes PP
'Canes hem #Isles in to start second and draw a penalty. Reilly off for interference 50 seconds in.
After being down 0-2, #Sabres have come back to tie it up 2-2 with goals from Dahlin and Quinn https://t.co/mEOrwLcspZ
Rangers are still a bit too loose. Jack Quinn makes them pay early in the second period and it's 2-2.
Jack Quinn skates to the middle in transition and rips one past #NYR Igor Shesterkin to tie it up 2-2
Jack Quinn does it again. His second goal in as many games ties it 2-2 with 18:18 left in the 2nd period. The Sabres missed that guy. Collected the pass from Cozens, then cut across the slot before he beat Shesterkin with a wrister.
If Sebastian Aho scores for the Hurricanes tonight after Sebastian Aho for the Islanders already scored in the same game, this will truly be a Festivus to remember.
Done with 20 minutes in Raleigh. 3-1, Islanders. The #Canes have some work to do and you hope that Kochetkov can shake off that third goal quickly.
End of one #Isles 3 (Aho, Nelson, Horvat) #Hurricanes 1 (Teravainen) 'Canes up on shots 16-12. Isles gotta hold a two-goal lead.
Barzal to Lee over CAR blue line back to Barzal to Horvat. One-timer from the right circle beats a sliding Kochetkov, who wants that back with 1:35 to play in the first. 3-1 #Isles
End 1, #NYR 2 (Lindgren, Panarin PPG), BUF 1 (Dahlin). SOG 13-9, Rangers. K'Andre leads Rangers in TOI with 8:03. (His D partner, Trouba, has played 6:03.) Per @NatStatTrick, BUF leads in 5-on-5 scoring chances, 12-8, and HD chances, 5-2.
End 1P: #NYR 2, #LetsGoBuffalo 1 SOG: 13-9 NYR Hits: 6-1 BUF Blocks: 11-4 BUF Turnovers: NYR 4; BUF 2 FO: 53% (10-for-19) NYR PP: NYR 1/1; BUF 0/0 HDCF: 5-2 BUF xGF: 1.48-0.75 BUF NYR generated quality looks, esp the 🥖 line, but also allowed a few more than they'd like.
That was one of Mat Barzal's special ability passes, finds Bo Horvat cross-ice on the right and Horvat pops one through after Kochetkov initially gets a piece with his blocker, 3-1 #Isles at 18:25 of the first
Bo Horvat makes it 3-1, Islanders. Kochetkov will want that one back. 1:35 to go in the opening stanza.
Sabres trail 2-1 at the end of the first period. They had more 5-on-5 high danger scoring chances than the Rangers (5-2), according Natural Stat Trick, but UPL was screened on the first goal. May not have seen the shot on the second, either. Very important goal by Dahlin.
at the end of the first period it's 2-1 NYR. Shots were13-9 Rangers.
Valtteri Puustinen rang one off the post as Pittsburgh's power play expired... and then Brady Tkachuk gave Ottawa a 3-1 lead right after. The Senators have really gotten some momentum from their special teams tonight.
2-1, Islanders. They win an offensive zone draw and just seconds later Brock Nelson turns, fires, and scores. 5:17 remaining in the first.
Brock Nelson, slot, and it's 2-1 #Isles at 14:43 of the first. Strap in, this could be a fun one.
What a play by Jordan Greenway — displays strength and skill — to create Rasmus Dahlin’s goal.
Greenway wins the battle in corner and finds Dahlin in the slot, 2-1 NYR
Rasmus Dahlin gets a centering feed from behind #NYR net and scores, 2-1 game
Rasmus Dahlin's 10th goal of the season cuts the Sabres' deficit to 2-1 with 3:23 left in the 1st period. Heck of a centering pass by Jordan Greenway, who was pinned against the boards behind the Rangers' net.
Rasmus Dahlin gets one right back for Buffalo with a power one-timer from the slot. That cuts the #NYR lead to 2-1 with 3:23 remaining in the first.
Rasmus Dahlin gets BUF on the board. 2-1, #NYR now.
Another goal on a screen, Panarin on the power play, 2-0 NYR.
Artemi Panarin snipes a power-play goal from the top of the faceoff circle, #NYR up 2-0
2-0 Rangers Artemi Panarin from the right circle. UPL caught too deep in the crease. Not sure if he could see the puck there ... weird.
Panarin with a wrist shot so good Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen didn't even move. That PPG makes it 2-0 #NYR
1-1 with 7:38 to play in the first as Sorokin robs Jarvis but puck is loose behind him and Teravainen taps it home. #Isles
'Canes tie it at 1-1 at 12:22 of the first as Teravainen muscles past Dobson to knock in loose puck in the paint.
Jordan Greenway called for hooking Trocheck with 6:42 left in the first period. The Rangers' power play ranks 1st in the NHL and has scored in six straight. Sabres won't have their best PK forward because Greenway is in the box.
Trocheck draws a hooking penalty on Jordan Greenway, so the #NRY will head to the PP with 5:42 remaining in the first.
First goal of the season for #Isles Sebastian Aho
#NYR get the first power play of the game, when we return. Jordan Greenway is off for hooking.
The Islanders get the first goal of the night. Strange sequence. Their Sebastian Aho gets credited for the tally with 8:40 to go in the opening frame.
No score through the first 10:05 at PNC Arena. A close call in the opening moments courtesy of Mat Barzal, but it stays out behind Pyotr Kochetkov. The #Canes' first power play chance left some to be desired, credited with just one shot. https://t.co/IAxrLnnUrN
Strong work by #Isles PK. Failed on chances to clear, but the structure didn't give #Canes a whole lot. Got lucky at the back post with PP expiring. Necas left all alone.
Sorokin did a good job coming out to the top of the paint to attack that shot by Skjei and not allowing a tip in at the post.
Consecutive scoring chances for the Sabres. Tage Thompson hit the post and Kyle Okposo drove to the net to try to get the puck past Shesterkin. Rangers still ahead 1-0 with 9:10 left in the 1st period.
Hurricanes get the puck toward the crease and Bortuzzo off for roughing at 7:53 of the first. 0-0
13:03 to play in the first. No score between #Isles and #Canes. NYI top line looks more in sync tonight.
Ryan Lindgren with a long wrister from the point that sneaks through traffic to give the #NYR a 1-0 lead. Will Cuylle had the screen in front and may have made contact with it. Rangers have been pressing early and get one there.
1-0 Rangers UPL didn't even see Lindgren's shot from the point. Ryan Johnson and Erik Johnson couldn't clear traffic in front of the Sabres' net.
Not sure if anybody got a stick on it, but Ryan Lindgren's shot from the top of the zone finds the back of the net through traffic. #NYR up 1-0
Lindgren, shot through a screen, and the #NYR lead, 1-0.
Barzal speed going behind crease got Kochetkov off his skates and left him without his stick. But he still stops Dobson blast.
#Isles PP with one clean entry as #Canes kill it off.
#Isles to the PP at 2:41 of the first as Necas high sticks Palmieri.
Barzal forces a turnover in O-zone and then deflects a pass in D-zone, after #Isles got hemmed in following a Horvat O-zone turnover.
Spoke about it on the pregame space, but it's important for #Isles Ilya Sorokin to build on his latest outing vs. #Oilers. After a shaky first, he locked things down. He was structured, controlled his rebounds, and was aggressive.