David Rittich, Islanders turn in defensive gem to beat Rangers

Field Level Media|published: Sat 27th December, 21:22 2025

Dec 27, 2025; Elmont, New York, USA; New York Islanders goaltender David Rittich (33) defends against a shot on goal attempt in the first period against the New York Rangers at UBS Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Backup goalie David Rittich stopped all 27 shots he faced Saturday night for the host New York Islanders, who outlasted the New York Rangers 2-0 in Elmont, N.Y.

Rittich has allowed just three goals over three straight starts in place of Ilya Sorokin, who is sidelined with an unspecified injury. The shutout was the second of the season for the 33-year-old, who turned back a penalty shot by Carson Soucy the third period.

Anders Lee scored in the opening minute of the game and Simon Holmstrom added an empty-netter with 16.1 seconds left for the Islanders, who have outscored the Rangers 7-0 in two games this season.

The Islanders went 0-4 last season against the Rangers, who outscored them 23-5.

The Islanders are 8-3-1 this month despite scoring three or fewer goals nine times, including in each of their last six games.

Igor Shesterkin recorded 24 saves for the Rangers, who were blanked for the eighth time this season.

Lee scored an unassisted goal to cap a lengthy battle for the puck in the Rangers' zone just 58 seconds after the opening faceoff.

Islanders right winger Holmstrom poked the puck free from Soucy behind the Rangers' net and to Mathew Barzal, whose point-blank shot in the crease was turned back by Shesterkin. The puck bounced between Soucy and Will Borgen and the to Lee, who flicked a shot over Shesterkin's stick.

The Rangers almost tied the score twice during a scoreless second period. Rittich turned back a breakaway opportunity by Artemi Panarin with just under 12 minutes left. Will Cuylle appeared to knot the game during a power play with 5:23 remaining, but replay showed his shot bounced off the crossbar and the right post without ever crossing the goal line.

Soucy received his penalty shot 9:18 into the third after he was slashed by Calum Ritchie as he bore in on Rittich, but the attempt glanced off Rittich's stick.

Rittich gloved a shot from the slot by Vincent Trocheck with 2:25 left. Shesterkin was pulled during a power play seconds later, but the Rangers recorded just one shot before Holmstrom's goal.

--Field Level Media

151441

Latest