"Vancouver Canucks' Kiefer Sherwood (44) looks to pass away from New York Islanders' Bo Horvat (14) during the second period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo)
The Vancouver Canucks delivered a commanding 5-2 victory over the New York Islanders on Wednesday night, proving their resilience with a dominant comeback. Kiefer Sherwood stole the spotlight with two goals and an assist, while Thatcher Demko stood tall in the net, making 26 saves to shut down the Islanders' offense.
Canucks Rally After Islanders’ Lead
The game saw an intense back-and-forth battle, with the Islanders briefly taking a 2-1 lead midway through the second period. However, the Canucks responded with three goals in just over seven minutes, turning the game in their favor.
- Aatu Raty tied the game at 2-2 with his third goal of the season.
- Derek Forbort put Vancouver ahead with a crucial goal.
- Teddy Blueger extended the lead just 65 seconds into the third period, forcing the Islanders to pull goaltender Ilya Sorokin.
Sherwood sealed the victory with an empty-net goal with just under two minutes remaining.
Islanders Struggle in Playoff Race
The Islanders, currently fighting for a playoff spot, suffered another setback, losing three of their last four home games.
- Tony DeAngelo scored in the second period, extending his point streak to four games (one goal, four assists).
- Casey Cizikas also found the net for New York.
- Sorokin managed only 15 saves before being replaced by Marcus Hogberg, who made five saves in relief.
Demko Shines in Return
Vancouver’s Thatcher Demko, a 2024 Vezina Trophy contender, played his second straight game since returning from a lower-body injury. He had previously missed 24 games due to a knee injury suffered in last year’s playoffs.
A key moment came in the first period, when Demko made two crucial saves against Bo Horvat, preventing the Islanders from gaining early momentum. That effort allowed Vancouver to score first, with Sherwood redirecting a shot from Quinn Hughes.
What’s Next?
- Vancouver Canucks will head to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Saturday.
- New York Islanders will look to bounce back when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
With this win, the Canucks continue their strong push, while the Islanders face increasing pressure to stay in the playoff race.
