The Islanders vs Lightning rematch on December 6, 2025 brings a unique storyline to Tampa Bay. New York looks to protect their 1-0 series edge after Ilya Sorokin‘s masterful 2-1 victory on Tuesday. The Lightning seek redemption after losing back-to-back games, including a controversial non-call Thursday night.
🔥 Quick Facts
- First matchup result: Islanders won 2-1 on December 2, 2025 behind goalie Sorokin’s 27 saves
- Game time: 7:00 PM ET Saturday at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa
- Season records: New York is 15-10-3; Tampa Bay is 16-9-2
- Series history: The two teams will play three times this season with the third matchup on December 13 in New York
Islanders Riding Momentum After Dominant Week
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New York arrives in Tampa riding a wave of confidence after thrashing the Colorado Avalanche 6-3 on Thursday night. The Islanders scored four straight goals to open that contest, with goals from Kyle MacLean, Anders Lee, Bo Horvat, and Adam Pelech.
Coach Patrick Roy earned his 200th career coaching victory in that win. Roy also expressed belief in his team’s ability to compete against the league’s best, saying he expected his group to challenge Colorado after their recent strong play.
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Sorokin continues stellar goaltending through the stretch, stopping 35 of 38 shots in that victory. The Islanders earned points in 3 of their last 4 games and finished their home stand 3-3-1, though Roy felt they could have easily achieved better than .500.
Lightning Seek Answers After Back-to-Back Losses
| Metric | Value |
| Islanders Record | 15-10-3 |
| Lightning Record | 16-9-2 |
| Islanders Lead Scorer | Bo Horvat (29 points) |
| Lightning Lead Scorer | Nikita Kucherov (34 points) |
Tampa Bay enters this matchup frustrated after losing 2-1 to the Islanders on Tuesday and dropping 4-3 to Pittsburgh Thursday night. The Penguins game ended controversially when a hand-pass review overturned what appeared to be a game-tying goal with 55 seconds left.
Coach Jon Cooper questioned the call, arguing that Brandon Hagel was attempting to protect himself from a high pass rather than directing it to a teammate. Regardless, the loss leaves Tampa Bay in a deficit emotionally entering this rematch.
Key Storylines Enter Tonight’s Contest
The Islanders’ balanced scoring attack proved deadly against Colorado, with 10 different players recording at least one point Thursday night. Over the entire seven-game homestand, 16 different Islanders contributed, with Mathew Barzal and rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer each earning 5 points.
Schaefer’s 20th point in just 28 games makes him the second-fastest 18-year-old defenseman in NHL history to reach 20 points, trailing only Phil Housley‘s 25 games in 1982. The youngster continues his remarkable rookie season.
New York also showcased special teams excellence, scoring on the power play against Colorado after going 1-7 in recent opportunities. The penalty kill went a perfect 7-for-7 over the last two games and ranks 8th in the league at 82.9%.
Vasilevskiy Expected to Return for Tampa Bay
Goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (11-6-2, 2.31 GAA, .917 SV%) was scratched Thursday with a minor injury but is expected to test his availability against New York. The All-Star netminder brings experience and stopping power to combat New York’s balanced attack.
If Vasilevskiy cannot go, backup Jonas Johansson would make his ninth appearance this season. Johansson sits 5-3-0 with a 3.06 GAA and .892 save percentage in eight starts, so Vasilevskiy’s status matters significantly to Tampa’s defensive positioning.
The Lightning rank 24th on the power play at 16.3% but operate the league’s best penalty kill at 87.4%. Despite Thursday’s controversial loss, Tampa Bay remains one of just a handful of teams that win consistently when entering the third period with a lead.
Will the Islanders Clinch Their First Series Edge Before Heading Home?
The Islanders pursue their first 2-0 series lead while maintaining the momentum that carried them through a strong week. Tampa Bay faces desperation after consecutive losses, especially the controversial finish Thursday night.
Betting lines favor the Lightning by 1.5 goals in most sportsbooks, but New York’s recent hot play against one of the league’s best teams suggests the Islanders possess the confidence to steal a road victory. The question becomes whether Sorokin can repeat his Tuesday brilliance or if Tampa’s stars like Kucherov and Hagel finally break through.
Sources
- NHL.com – Official game preview and team statistics
- CBS Sports – Islanders momentum analysis and Lightning injury updates
- ESPN – Live scoring and player performance data
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.