Anders Lee scores twice as Islanders beat Ducks 5-2

News > Sports News

New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against Anaheim Ducks, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) fights for control of the puck with New York Islanders center Marc Gatcomb (16) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) — New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against Anaheim Ducks, Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Audio By Carbonatix

9:59 PM on Thursday, December 11

By ALLAN KREDA

NEW YORK (AP) — Anders Lee scored twice and had two assists, and David Rittich made 31 saves as the New York Islanders beat the Anaheim Ducks 5-2 on Thursday night.

Simon Holmstrom had a goal and two assists and defensemen Travis Mitchell and Ryan Pulock each scored as the Islanders won for the fifth time in six games.

Leo Carlsson and Troy Terry scored for Anaheim, which had its three-game winning streak snapped.

Islanders leading scorer Bo Horvat left about seven minutes into the second with a lower-body injury after he became tangled with Anaheim defenseman Drew Helleson.

The Islanders took a 3-0 lead in the opening period, starting with Mitchell’s first NHL goal. The 26-year-old was playing his seventh game following his recall from Bridgeport of the AHL.

Lee made it 2-0, beating Ducks netminder Ville Husso on the power play. The Islanders captain scored again with the man advantage late in the first, his eighth goal. Lee has 297 career goals, fifth-most in franchise history.

Carlsson rifled a shot past Rittich in the second for his team-leading 17th goal.

Terry made it 3-2 with a short-handed goal early in the third. The Islanders pulled away when Holmstron scored his sixth and Pulock added his first.

The Islanders are 14-6-2 in their last 22 games and continued strong play against top-tier competition since losing to Washington on Nov. 30. New York has since defeated Tampa Bay twice, plus Colorado and Vegas.

Rittich improved to 7-3-1 with a sharp performance against the improved Ducks, who have 19 wins in 31 games.

Husso made 32 saves.

Up next

Ducks: At New Jersey on Saturday.

Islanders: Host Tampa Bay on Saturday.

___

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl