Hockey

Lee’s Late Goal Secures Islanders’ 5-4 Victory Over Panthers

by
Richard Hayes
March 1, 2026

In a thrilling finish at UBS Arena, Anders Lee netted the decisive goal in the final minute, leading the New York Islanders to a 5-4 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday night. Rookie sensation Matthew Schaefer continued to impress, contributing two goals and an assist, while veteran Carson Soucy and Bo Horvat also found the back of the net. Goaltender David Rittich made 28 saves, helping the Islanders secure their fifth consecutive win and eighth in their last ten outings.

Schaefer, at just 18 years old, now boasts 20 goals this season, placing him just three behind Hall of Famer Brian Leetch for the most goals scored by a rookie defenseman in NHL history. His second goal of the night came midway through the third period, when he expertly maneuvered in from the blue line, unleashing a wrist shot that beat Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.

The game saw Florida initially take control, with Sam Bennett scoring twice and Sandis Vilmanis and Sam Reinhart each adding a goal. Bennett’s first came during a power play, putting the Panthers ahead 2-0 in the first period. However, the Islanders clawed back, with Schaefer’s slap shot late in the first bouncing off several players before slipping past Bobrovsky, bringing the score to 2-1.

As the game progressed, the lead swung back and forth. Soucy tied the game at 2-2 in the second period, but Bennett quickly responded, restoring Florida’s lead to 3-2. Horvat, with his team-leading 25th goal, brought the Islanders back to parity at 3-3 just before the end of the second period.

With the game tied at 4-4 and just under two minutes remaining, Reinhart found the net, capitalizing on the extra attacker after coach Paul Maurice pulled Bobrovsky. However, Lee’s late heroics sealed the victory for the Islanders, who are now gearing up for a road trip that begins in Anaheim on Wednesday. Meanwhile, the Panthers, currently eight points out of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, will look to regroup as they head to New Jersey on Tuesday.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.

Richard Hayes

Richard Hayes is the go-to writer for all things soccer at 21Sports.com. His international perspective and in-depth knowledge of the game have made him a trusted voice in the industry. Richard’s experience covering major leagues around the world allows him to offer unique insights that resonate with both casual fans and die-hard enthusiasts. When not covering matches, Richard enjoys coaching youth soccer in his community.