David Rittich made sure the New York Islanders’ return from the holiday break came with a statement.
Rittich stopped 27 shots for his ninth career shutout as the New York Islanders beat the New York Rangers 2-0 on Saturday night at UBS Arena, giving the home crowd plenty to celebrate in the latest chapter of the rivalry. “Our goaltender was outstanding,” head coach Patrick Roy said. “He was the player of the game in my mind.”
Anders Lee wasted no time setting the tone. The Islanders captain scored just 58 seconds into the game after forcing a turnover by Rangers defenseman Carson Soucy behind the net, burying an unassisted chance for his 10th goal of the season. The early strike extended Lee’s point streak to five games and energized a building that stayed loud all night.
The Islanders protected that slim lead with structure and goaltending. Rittich was sharp from the opening faceoff, denying Will Cuylle on a two-on-one midway through the first period and then turning away Artemi Panarin on a clean breakaway in the second. In the third, Rittich added another highlight by stopping Soucy on a penalty shot after Cal Ritchie was whistled for a slash.
“He’s such a gamer,” Lee said of Rittich. “He was a complete stud tonight. This game had a little bit of everything from all the power plays and our kills to a penalty shot and he stood tall.”
Simon Holmstrom sealed it with an empty-net goal with 16 seconds remaining as the Islanders earned their second straight win. Bo Horvat returned to the lineup after missing five games with a lower-body injury, providing a boost even as the Islanders went 0-for-5 on the power play.
Igor Shesterkin finished with 24 saves for the Rangers, who were shut out for the eighth time this season. Earlier in the day, the Islanders placed starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin on injured reserve, though he is expected to travel with the team on its upcoming road trip.
On a night built for rivalry hockey, the Islanders delivered effort, edge and goaltending — and sent their fans home smiling. The Isles are right back at it on Sunday night in Columbus.