Schaffer scores overtime winner as Islanders beat Wild 4-3

The New York Islanders stole a 4-3 overtime victory from the Minnesota Wild on Thursday night at Grand Casino Arena. The result marked the first home loss for the Wild this season and capped a mixed month for the team.

Matthew Schaffer scored the decisive goal in the extra period. It was his second goal of the game for the visitors. The Islanders controlled the special teams play, converting one of three power play opportunities while holding Minnesota without a shorthanded goal.

The Wild had finished a recent road trip with a 3-1-1 record. They entered the game with high expectations after leading the league in penalty kill and power play efficiency at various points during October. That momentum stalled on the man advantage, where they went 0-for-3 against the Islanders.

Joel Eriksson Ek opened the scoring for Minnesota with a low wrist shot past Ilya Sorokin. Eriksson Ek has now scored three times in his last four games. The lead did not last long, as Schaffer tied the score with a late first-period rebound.

Bo Horvat gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead in the second period on a power play. Quinn Hughes answered for the Wild with a backhander that bounced off Sorokin's leg and into the net. The teams traded goals in the third period, with Adam Pelech putting New York up 3-2 on a shot screened by Michael McCarron.

Matt Boldy brought the Wild back to within one goal with less than four minutes left in regulation. His low shot ended a six-game goal drought. Despite the late surge, the Wild could not find the equalizer before the final horn.

John Hynes, the Wild coach, acknowledged that his team was not at its best but praised their effort to stay in the game. He noted that they managed to take a point after falling behind twice. Nico Sturm, a forward for Minnesota, described the performance as disconnected at times but credited the group for battling back.

Jesper Wallstedt made 22 saves for the Wild, while Ilya Sorokin also recorded 22 saves for the Islanders. The Wild finish October with a 9-3-3 record. They head back to the road immediately, playing Washington on Sunday and Philadelphia on Election Night.