Islanders’ Strong Finish to 2025
CHICAGO — The Islanders wrapped up their 2025 season with a glimpse of what they aspire to achieve in 2026.
Bo Horvat scored the winning goal in a shootout during their last game of the year Tuesday night at the United Center, pushing the Blackhawks to a 3-2 victory. It’s worth noting that their second half was a complete contrast to how they started the game.
This season, the Islanders have transformed from a team that seemed stagnant, missing the playoffs and unclear about their future, into a squad boasting one of the most promising young rosters in the NHL, claiming the second spot in the Metropolitan Division as the year drew to a close.
Their high-energy game on Tuesday featured a goal from Cal Ritchie and an assist by Matthew Schaefer, showcasing how much they’ve changed. However, despite their hopes for improvement next year, they still had a tendency to make things difficult for themselves.
The Blackhawks maintained steady pressure, leading to a comeback when the Islanders let a 2-0 lead slip away late in the second period. Oliver Moore assisted Teuvo Teravainen for a goal, and then Horvat received a four-minute double-minor for high-sticking. With just 1.7 seconds left in the period, Nick Lardis took advantage, scoring off a rebound.
Lardis’ goal mirrored the setup for Teravainen’s, further contributing to a situation where the Islanders had to claw back into a game they once controlled.
The game, which opened up wide, turned chaotic in the final stretch. Mathieu Barzal found himself central to the action, taking a couple of roughing penalties as tensions flared. The Blackhawks were close to taking the lead multiple times, with defender Artyom Levshunov hitting the post twice, the second leading to a goal on a subsequent play.
In fact, the Islanders were fortunate to escape with at least one point after Nick Foligno missed with a shot that rang the iron while he was right in front of the net at the end of regulation.
Although they failed to capitalize on an overtime power play set up by a trip on Heineman, David Rittich saved the day by defeating Spencer Knight in the penalty shootout.
The Islanders showcased considerable speed, generating plays off the rush, yet their results were inconsistent. Line adjustments by coach Patrick Roy, such as pairing Barzal with Horvat and disrupting a fourth line that had been solid for a month, raised some eyebrows.
Defensively, their structure often faltered, giving the Blackhawks too much room to maneuver, and their forecheck, as well as their cycling game, struggled. Notably, the fourth line featuring Anthony Duclair, Casey Cizikas, and Mark Gatcomb was without Kyle MacLean, who was a healthy scratch.
This game took place in the same arena where a dismal performance spelled the end for then-coach Lane Lambert two seasons ago, leading to a significant organizational shift under general manager Mathieu Darche.
While the season wasn’t without its flaws, it’s remarkable how much the Islanders have evolved in such a short time.
