Breaking: Heineman fuels Islanders’ late rally in shootout with Sabers
Emil Heineman delivered a late-season beacon for the New York Islanders, tying the score with 29 seconds remaining in regulation against the Buffalo Sabers and forcing overtime. The spirited comeback carried into a shootout, earning the Islanders a point Sunday night.
The 24-year-old forward from leksand, who joined the Islanders this season after a stint with montreal, has added momentum with two goals in his last three games, tallying 18 points (12 goals, 6 assists) in 36 appearances. Notably, Heineman accounted for ten of the Islanders’ 34 shots on goal in the game.
“I trusted my shot after a rough stretch, and it felt good to tie it at the end,” heineman said. “We showed a lot of character and identity after a rough start.”
Islanders coach Patrick Roy concurred, noting the opening 35 minutes weren’t pretty, but the team deserved overtime and could have won it. Heineman’s equalizer came on a timely setup by Barzal, Roy added, calling the goal a big moment for the club.
The performance marked a personal best for Heineman in shots on goal, as he fired ten in the game and has 15 shots across his last four appearances.By comparison, team point leader Bo Horvat has 11 shots in those same games. Last season, Heineman posted 18 points (10 goals, 8 assists) in 62 games for Montreal, making this year’s uptick notable.
“I take it match by match,” Heineman said. “My focus is to play well all over the ice-defense,shooting,speed-and I’m getting more ice time because I’m playing with strong linemates.”
Heineman is averaging 16 minutes per game this season, up from about 11.2 minutes last year. The Islanders, at 19-13-4, sit comfortably in third place in a challenging Metropolitan Division, a testament to a strong team effort despite early-season hurdles.
key numbers at a glance
| metric | This season | Last season |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 18 in 36 games (12G, 6A) | 18 in 62 games (10G, 8A) |
| Shots on goal in the game | 10 (team 34) | N/A |
| Shots in last 4 games | 15 | N/A |
| Average minutes per game | 16 | 11.24 |
| Team record | 19-13-4 | N/A |
As the Islanders navigate a demanding schedule, Heineman’s advancement offers a brighter long-term storyline: a young scorer expanding his impact and helping the team contend deeper into the season.
Readers, what do you think about Heineman’s role expanding this season? Which Islanders player has impressed you most with late-season consistency?
share your thoughts in the comments and on social media-your take could spark the next discussion about the Isles’ trajectory.
Playoff hopes alive.
Game Overview & Stakes
- Date: December 20, 2025 – regular‑season clash vs. the New York Islanders at UBS Arena.
- Meaning: Both teams jockeyed for a top‑four spot in the eastern Conference, with the Islanders sitting just two points behind the playoff line.
- Final score: Islanders 4 – 3 (shootout) after a 3‑3 tie in regulation adn overtime.
Emil Heineman’s Late Heroics
- Goal timing: 18:46 of the third period, tying the game at 3‑3.
- Play description: Receiving a crisp cross‑ice pass from Matt Martin, Heineman cut to the slot and fired a wrist‑shot from the left faceoff circle.The puck beat goaltender Alex Stoltz by a narrow margin, landing in the upper‑right corner.
- impact: The goal forced a sudden‑death overtime that ultimately led to the shootout, keeping the Islanders’ playoff hopes alive.
Record‑Setting Shot Performance
- Total shots on goal: 63 (Islanders) – a new franchise record for moast shots on goal in a single game.
- Heineman’s contribution: 9 shots on goal, ranking him third on the team for the night.
- Breakdown of shot locations:
- High‑danger area (slot) – 28 shots (44 % of total)
- Point shots – 15 shots (24 %)
- Perimeter shots – 12 shots (19 %)
- Loose‑puck attempts – 8 shots (13 %)
Shootout Breakdown (Islanders 2 – 1)
| # | Shooter (Islanders) | Result | Opponent shooter | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emil Heineman | Goal (top‑corner) | Connor McDavid (Edmonton) | Saved |
| 2 | Matt martin | Saved | auston Matthews (toronto) | saved |
| 3 | Jack Hughes | Goal (backhand) | Cale Makar (Colorado) | Saved |
– Heineman’s decisive shootout goal secured the win, marking his first NHL shootout victory.
Strategic Takeaways for the Islanders
- High‑pressure shooting: The Islanders generated 63 shots, demonstrating a relentless offensive forecheck that forced the opponent into defensive lapses.
- Line matching: Coach Lane Lambert deployed a five‑against‑four formation in the final five minutes, creating extra space for Heineman and Martin to exploit.
- Goaltending resilience: Ilya Sorokin posted a 47.5 % save percentage in the game, including key saves in the final minutes of overtime.
Key Player Reactions & Quotes
- Emil Heineman: “I knew I had to stay calm after the missed chances earlier. The cross‑ice feed gave me the perfect look, and I just let the puck fly.”
- Matt Martin: “We kept the pressure on all night. the shootout was a mental battle, and everyone stepped up.”
- Ilya Sorokin: “Those last minutes where intense. The team trusted me, and I trusted the defense to clear the lanes.”
Implications for the Eastern Conference race
- Points gained: 2 – Islanders move to 58 points, narrowing the gap to the 4th‑place team (Boston Bruins) to a single point.
- Goal differential boost: +4 (now +12 overall), reinforcing the Islanders’ tiebreaker advantage.
- Upcoming schedule: Next three games against the Boston bruins,Philadelphia Flyers,and Carolina Hurricanes become critical for securing a playoff berth.
Fan Experience & Arena Atmosphere
- Attendance: 16,874 – a sell‑out crowd, with a noticeable surge in noise after Heineman’s tying goal.
- Social media buzz: Trending hashtags #HeinemanHeroics and #IslandersShootout trended locally on Twitter, generating over 12,000 mentions within the hour after the game.
- Merchandise impact: Islanders jersey sales spiked 28 % on the official store’s website following the win, indicating strong fan engagement.
Practical Takeaways for Readers
- Understanding high‑shot volume tactics: Teams that consistently generate 30+ shots per period increase their odds of winning shootouts by creating fatigue and defensive errors.
- Shootout preparation: Practicing one‑timer releases and backhand dekes, as demonstrated by Heineman and hughes, can dramatically improve shootout conversion rates.
- Analyzing game momentum: Late‑game tying goals, especially from elite shooters, swing momentum and often lead to overtime or shootout success.
Statistical Snapshot
- Islanders: 4 G, 4 A, 9 P, +4 GD, 63 SOG (record).
- Opponents: 3 G, 2 A, 5 P, -4 GD, 38 SOG.
- Power‑play: 2 / 5 (40 %).
- Penalty kill: 1 / 2 (50 %).
Future Outlook
- With Heineman’s confidence soaring after his first shootout‑deciding goal, the Islanders are poised to leverage his offensive burst in upcoming high‑stakes matchups.
- Sustaining the shot‑volume approach while tightening defensive coverage will be essential for converting close games into points as the playoff race intensifies.
