The Vegas Golden Knights (14-6-8), riding a three-game win streak and looking to build momentum in the Pacific Division, face the New York Islanders (16-11-3) in a cross-conference clash at UBS Arena. Vegas enters with offensive firepower (No. 8 in goals per game at 3.04) but a middling road record (6-4-4), while the Islanders boast a stingy defense (No. 7 in goals against at 2.70) and have won three straight, including back-to-back shutouts against Tampa Bay. This matchup tests Vegas’ transition game against New York’s structured forecheck—expect a low-event battle with goaltending and special teams (Vegas 23.5% PP vs. NYI 81.7% PK) as deciders in a potential playoff-style grinder.
Game Details
Venue: UBS Arena, Elmont, New York
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET
Broadcast: TNT / HBO Max
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home Record | Road Record | Pacific/Metro Division Stand |
| Vegas Golden Knights | 14-6-8 | 8-2-4 | 6-4-4 | 2nd in Pacific |
| New York Islanders | 16-11-3 | 7-6-2 | 9-5-1 | 3rd in Metropolitan |
Vegas ranks No. 12 in shots for per game (29.6) but No. 20 in save percentage (.899). The Islanders excel in defensive zone time (No. 5) and have a +5 goal differential, going 13-1-3 when scoring 3+ goals.
Injury Report
Injuries have nicked both squads, with Vegas monitoring its blue line and New York dealing with forward depth issues—backups may see extended action.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Estimated Return |
| Vegas Golden Knights | Alex Pietrangelo | D | Questionable | Upper body | December 9 |
| William Karlsson | C | Out (IR) | Lower body | December 16 | |
| Shea Theodore | D | Probable | Maintenance | December 9 | |
| Akira Schmid | G | Day-to-Day | Illness | December 9 | |
| New York Islanders | Bo Horvat | C | Out | Upper body | December 10 |
| Noah Dobson | D | Out (IR) | Wrist | January 2026 | |
| Jean-Gabriel Pageau | C | Probable | Lower body | December 9 | |
| Semyon Varlamov | G | Out (IR) | Knee | December 23 |
Pietrangelo’s status (24:15 TOI, +8) is key for Vegas’ pairings; without him, Zach Whitecloud logs extra shifts. Horvat’s absence (pre-injury: 0.8 PPG) elevates Mathew Barzal’s usage, while Dobson’s shutdown role (1.2 BLP) forces Ryan Pulock into top-pair duties.
Recent Team Forms
Vegas has rebounded with three straight wins, outscoring foes 10-6, while the Islanders’ defensive surge (2 goals allowed in last three) has masked offensive inconsistencies.
Vegas Golden Knights Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 7 | @ NYR | W 3-2 (OT) | Eichel GWG in OT; Schmid 32 saves, 1/3 PP |
| Dec. 5 | @ NJD | W 3-0 | Shutout; Eichel G+A, 2/2 PP, 25 SOG |
| Dec. 2 | vs. CHI | W 4-3 (SO) | Stone 2G; Hill .935 SV%, shootout win |
| Nov. 29 | vs. SJS | W 4-3 | Barbashev 2A; Comeback from 3-1 down |
| Nov. 28 | vs. MTL | L 1-4 | Defensive lapses; 0/1 PP, 31 SOG |
Form: 4-1-0 (ATS: 3-2). Golden Knights averaging 3.0 GPG, holding foes to 2.4 in wins.
New York Islanders Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Notes |
| Dec. 6 | @ TBL | W 2-0 | Sorokin 32-save shutout; Ritchie PPG, Cizikas EN |
| Dec. 4 | vs. COL | W 6-3 | Barzal 2G; 2/3 PP, high-event win |
| Dec. 2 | vs. TBL | W 2-1 | Sorokin 31 saves; Defensive masterclass |
| Nov. 30 | vs. WSH | L 1-4 | Blew lead; Rittich pulled after 3GA |
| Nov. 28 | vs. PHI | L 3-4 (OT) | Horvat injured; 1/5 PP, OT loss |
Form: 3-2-0 (ATS: 3-2). Islanders 7-3-0 in last 10 at home, with unders in 4 of 5 (avg. 5.2 goals).
Series History
Since Vegas’ 2017 inception, the teams have met 12 times, with the Golden Knights holding a slight edge (7-4-1). New York won the last two in 2024, but Vegas dominated early matchups.
All-Time Regular Season: Golden Knights lead 7-4-1 (63.6% win rate)
Last 10 Meetings: Golden Knights 6-3-1
Recent Results:
Mar. 15, 2025: Islanders 4-3 (Vegas; Barzal GWG)
Jan. 22, 2025: Islanders 3-2 SO (Vegas)
Nov. 10, 2024: Golden Knights 5-2 (Islanders)
Apr. 5, 2024: Golden Knights 4-1 (Islanders)
Feb. 20, 2024: Golden Knights 3-2 OT (Islanders)
Series averages 5.8 goals, with unders in 7 of last 10. Vegas is 4-1 SU in last five road games vs. New York.
Key Player Matchups
With injuries forcing adjustments, elite centers and goaltenders will shine in a possession battle.
Jack Eichel (VGK, 12G-18A-30P) vs. Mathew Barzal (NYI, 9G-15A-24P): Eichel’s elite edgework (1.07 PPG) exploits NYI’s bottom-four D; Barzal’s speed (team-high 11.2% SH%) counters on breakouts, with 4P in last three vs. VGK. Edge: Golden Knights—Eichel’s faceoff wins (52.1%).
Mark Stone (VGK, 10G-14A-24P) vs. Bo Horvat (NYI, Out; replacement Brock Nelson, 8G-12A): Stone’s captaincy (plus-9) wears down tired legs; without Horvat, Nelson’s grit (54% FO) steps up, but Stone’s series history (5P in last four) prevails. Edge: Toss-up; Stone’s home/road consistency.
Jonathan Marchessault (VGK, 11G-10A-21P) vs. Bo Horvat/Anders Lee (NYI, 7G-9A): Marchy’s sniper shot (16.4% SOG) tests Sorokin’s angles; Lee’s netfront presence (4 PPG) disrupts, especially on PK. Edge: Islanders—Lee’s physicality at home.
Goalie Duel: Adin Hill (VGK, .910 SV%) vs. Ilya Sorokin (NYI, .925 SV%): Hill’s rebound control shines in wins (.940 in streak); Sorokin’s three shutouts lead the East. Edge: Islanders—Sorokin’s form (1.89 GAA last five).
Betting Trends
Puck Line: Vegas 7-5 ATS as road favorites; NYI 9-7 ATS at home.
Total: 5.5 (O -134; U +110). Unders in 11 of Islanders’ last 13 (avg. 4.8 goals); Vegas overs in 6 of last 8 road.
Other Trends:
Golden Knights: 9-1 SU in last 10 December games; 6-4 ATS overall.
Islanders: 13-1-3 SU when scoring 3+; Under in 7 of last 10 vs. West.
Game Odds
Vegas Golden Knights – 135
New York Islanders 5.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 8, 2025
