Islanders Stage Stunning Comeback Over Panthers in Mike Reilly’s Emotional Return

New York scores four third-period goals to defeat the Stanley Cup champions, boosting playoff hopes and celebrating Reilly’s return after heart surgery.

The Islanders defeated the Florida Panthers 4-2 with a dramatic four-goal third period at UBS Arena on Sunday night.
Mike Reilly made an emotional return to the lineup after undergoing heart surgery, contributing an assist in his first game since November 1, 2024.
The victory snapped the Islanders’ three-game losing streak and brought them within four points of the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot with 17 games remaining.
Key goals came from Marc Gatcomb, Maxim Tsyplakov, and Noah Dobson, who scored twice in a 17-second span to take the lead.
Goalie Ilya Sorokin made 21 saves, and Simon Holmstrom sealed the game with an empty-net goal in the final seconds.