Heartbreak in St. Paul! The Wild snatched defeat from the jaws of victory against the Islanders, losing 4-3 in overtime after leading multiple times. But here's where it gets controversial: was it a case of the Wild collapsing, or the Islanders simply refusing to give up? Let's dive into the details of this nail-biter from January 10, 2026.
In a back-and-forth affair at the Xcel Energy Center, Simon Holmstrom played the hero for the New York Islanders, netting his second goal of the night just 1:34 into overtime to seal a 4-3 victory over the Minnesota Wild. This win pushes the Islanders to a solid 3-0-1 record in their last four games.
Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Casey Cizikas also found the back of the net for the Islanders. A major factor in their success was goaltender Ilya Sorokin, who stood tall and stopped 32 shots, including a remarkable 17 saves in a scoreless third period. Sorokin's performance raises the question: is he the most underrated goalie in the league? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments!
For the Wild, Matt Boldy, Kirill Kaprizov, and Ben Jones managed to light the lamp. And this is the part most people miss: Quinn Hughes was a playmaker extraordinaire, assisting on all three of Minnesota's goals. However, even with Hughes' contributions and Filip Gustavsson's 23 saves, they couldn't hold off the relentless Islanders. This loss marks Minnesota's third in their last four games (1-1-2).
The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. Minnesota grabbed a one-goal lead not once, not twice, but three times in the first two periods. A particularly special moment came early in the first when Ben Jones notched his first-ever NHL goal, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. But each time, the Islanders responded, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Cizikas's shorthanded goal late in the second period, tying the game at 3-3, was a highlight. He capped off a 2-on-1 rush with Holmstrom by cleverly sliding the puck between Gustavsson's pads – a play that definitely left Wild fans groaning. Was this goal a turning point, or were there other key moments that shifted the momentum?
The Wild were returning to home ice after a lengthy seven-game road trip (4-1-2), which coincided with the Twin Cities hosting the prestigious World Juniors Championships. Perhaps the travel and distractions played a role in their performance. What do you think – does home-ice advantage truly matter in today's NHL, or is it more psychological?
Looking ahead:
- Islanders: Head to Winnipeg to face the Jets on Tuesday. Can they maintain their winning streak on the road?
- Wild: Return home to host the New Jersey Devils on Monday, looking to bounce back from this tough loss. Will they be able to capitalize on their home-ice advantage this time around?
(Source: AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl)
