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Islanders rally from multigoal deficit to beat Panthers 5-2
Brayden Schenn, Matthew Schaefer lead comeback as Islanders keep pace in playoff race
Mar. 28, 2026 at 7:56pm
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The New York Islanders rallied from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers 5-2 on Saturday. Brayden Schenn scored the tying goal in the second period, while Matthew Schaefer tied the franchise rookie defenseman scoring record with a pair of assists. The Islanders have won two in a row to keep pace in the competitive Eastern Conference playoff race, while the injury-ravaged Panthers moved closer to playoff elimination.
Why it matters
The Islanders' comeback victory keeps them in the hunt for a playoff spot in the tight Eastern Conference, while the Panthers' continued struggles due to key injuries have them on the verge of being eliminated from postseason contention.
The details
After U.S. Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk put the Panthers up 2-0 through 14 minutes, the Islanders rallied with five unanswered goals. Brayden Schenn, acquired at the trade deadline, scored the tying goal in the second period. Fourth-liner Marc Gatcomb started the comeback, and Casey Cizikas later scored to make it 5-2. Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer matched a franchise record with 56 points, and his next goal will tie the NHL rookie defenseman record.
- The Islanders rallied from a 2-0 deficit through 14 minutes of play.
- Brayden Schenn scored the tying goal in the second period.
- Matthew Schaefer matched the Islanders' rookie defenseman franchise scoring record of 56 points.
The players
Brayden Schenn
A forward acquired by the Islanders at the trade deadline who scored the tying goal in the second period to spark the comeback.
Matthew Schaefer
The Islanders' rookie defenseman who tied the franchise scoring record for rookie defensemen with 56 points.
Matthew Tkachuk
The Florida Panthers forward who scored both of his team's goals to build an early 2-0 lead.
Ilya Sorokin
The Islanders' goaltender who allowed only the two goals from Tkachuk and stopped the other 17 shots he faced.
Marc Gatcomb
The Islanders' fourth-line forward who started the comeback with a goal.
What they’re saying
“We must continue to battle and find ways to win, even when facing early deficits. This was a big character win for our group.”
— Barry Trotz, Islanders Head Coach
What’s next
The Islanders will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night as they continue their push for a playoff spot, while the Panthers will visit the Rangers on Sunday as they try to avoid elimination.
The takeaway
The Islanders' comeback victory showcases their resilience and ability to rally from early deficits, keeping them in the hunt for a playoff berth in the competitive Eastern Conference. Meanwhile, the Panthers' continued struggles due to key injuries have them on the brink of being eliminated from postseason contention.
