ELMONT, NY- The New York Islanders fell to the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday at UBS Arena, losing 5-2. With the loss the Islanders squandered an opportunity to move into a playoff spot for the first time since November 16.
Thatcher Demko picked up the win for the Canucks, stopping 26 of 28 Islander shots.
© Dennis Schneidler-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, Isles goalie, Ilya Sorokin was pulled early in the third period after making just 15 saves on 19 shots. Marcus Hogberg came in relief to save all five Canuck shots he faced.
Neither team scored in the first period, with the Islanders getting the better of the chances. Demko stood on his head making many incredible stops, including two on Bo Horvat.
After the one period, the Islanders lead 10-5 shots, but neither team could score.
Kiefer Sherwood opened the scoring early in the second period. He tipped a long shot taken by Quinn Hughes into the back of the net with 2:39 off the clock. Filip Hronek tapped the puck to Hughes, earning the secondary assist.
A few minutes later with the Canucks on the power play, J.G. Pageau and Casey Cizikas connected to score shorthanded for the Islanders 5:35 into period two to tie the game at one:
What a freaking goal by Casey Cizikas! #Islespic.twitter.com/ux0ayyrfYi
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) March 27, 2025
Then, exactly nine minutes into the middle frame Tony DeAngelo outwaited Demko after the puck popped free to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead. Cizikas earned his second assist of the night, with Pierre Engvall being credited with the secondary assist:
Tony gives us the lead!! #LGI | @Fordpic.twitter.com/j9m0vwHNT8
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 27, 2025
4:59 later, the game was knotted up once again. Former Islander Aatu Raty, who was dealt in the trade that brought Horvat to the Islanders, scored his third of the season to even the score at 2-2. Marcus Pettersson and Sherwood assisted.
Then, Derek Forbort scored his second goal of the season for the Canucks with 22.9 seconds left to go in the second period. Jake DeBrusk and Pius Suter assisted and the Canucks entered the third period with a 3-2 lead.
To start period three, Conor Garland stole the puck and Teddy Blueger wristed a shot past Sorokin only 1:05 in, consequently ending Sorokin’s night.
Hogberg entered the game in relief of Sorokin.
The Islanders had a power play attempt with 13:40 remaining but couldn’t get anything going. Then another with 4:41 left with the net empty – – and an extra attacker.
New York failed to score and Sherwood scored his second of the game into the empty net with 1:52 to go. The ENG made it 5-2 and was assisted by Suter and Drew O’Connor.
Losing 5-2, the Islanders are still one-point out of a playoff spot. They are back in action on Saturday in Tampa Bay at 2 pm against the Lightning.
