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Islanders rally from multigoal deficit to defeat the Panthers 5-2
Brayden Schenn and Matthew Schaefer lead the comeback as New York keeps pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
Mar. 28, 2026 at 8:07pm
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The New York Islanders rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers 5-2 on Saturday at UBS Arena. Brayden Schenn scored the tying goal in the second period and had two assists, while Matthew Schaefer tied the rookie defenseman franchise scoring record with a pair of assists. The Islanders scored five unanswered goals to secure the victory and keep pace in the competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.
Why it matters
The Islanders' comeback win over the Panthers, who are dealing with several key injuries, was an important result in the tight Eastern Conference playoff picture. New York's ability to rally from an early deficit showcases their resilience and scoring depth as they push for a postseason berth.
The details
After U.S. Olympic gold medalist Matthew Tkachuk put the Panthers up 2-0 through 14 minutes, the Islanders stormed back. Fourth-liner Marc Gatcomb started the comeback, and Brayden Schenn, acquired at the trade deadline, scored the tying goal in the second period. Rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer tied the franchise scoring record for a rookie blueliner with two assists, matching Stefan Persson's 56-point mark from 1977-78. Schaefer's next goal will tie Brian Leetch's NHL record for most by a rookie defenseman. Ilya Sorokin made 17 saves for the Islanders, who also got goals from Swedes Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman.
- The Islanders rallied from a 2-0 deficit on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at UBS Arena.
- Brayden Schenn scored the tying goal in the second period.
The players
Brayden Schenn
A forward for the New York Islanders who scored the tying goal and had two assists in the comeback win over the Panthers.
Matthew Schaefer
A rookie defenseman for the New York Islanders who tied the franchise scoring record for a rookie blueliner with two assists in the game.
Matthew Tkachuk
A forward for the Florida Panthers who scored both of their goals to give them an early 2-0 lead.
Ilya Sorokin
The goaltender for the New York Islanders who made 17 saves in the win.
Marc Gatcomb
A fourth-line forward for the New York Islanders who started the comeback with a goal.
What they’re saying
“We must have believed we could come back the whole time. That's the sign of a resilient team.”
— Brayden Schenn, Forward, New York Islanders
What’s next
The Islanders will host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night as they continue their push for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Panthers, dealing with several key injuries, will visit the Rangers on Sunday as they try to stay in the postseason race.
The takeaway
The Islanders' comeback victory over the defending champion Panthers showcased their scoring depth and resilience as they fight for a playoff berth in a tight Eastern Conference race. Meanwhile, the injury-ravaged Panthers are struggling to stay in contention, highlighting the importance of health and depth for teams aiming to make a deep postseason run.
