The Anaheim Ducks (19-10-1) bring a scorching four-game win streak into UBS Arena, aiming to extend their surprising Pacific Division lead against a New York Islanders (17-11-3) squad that’s won four of its last five but remains plagued by defensive injuries. Anaheim’s youthful offense, led by breakout stars like Leo Carlsson and Mason McTavish, has fueled a 12-3-1 run since November, but faces Ilya Sorokin’s wall in net for the Isles, who’s posted a .923 SV% in December. New York, structurally sound at even strength (top-10 in xGA/60), counters with Mathew Barzal’s playmaking but must navigate a depleted blue line. This cross-conference tilt projects as a low-event grinder—expect Sorokin’s rebounding to key a 3-2 Islanders victory in a potential playoff-style battle.
Venue Location
UBS Arena, Elmont, New York (capacity: 17,250). The Islanders are 8-6-2 at home this season, holding opponents to 2.6 GPG in Elmont, and have a 7-3 record in their last 10 against Pacific teams.
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET.
Broadcast on MSG Networks (Islanders), Victory+ (Ducks), and ESPN+ nationally, with radio on 88.7 FM (NYI) and Ducks Radio Network.
Injury Report
Injuries are a storyline for both, with Anaheim’s goaltending tandem sidelined, forcing Ville Husso into a heavy workload (11-5-1, 2.45 GAA), while New York’s defense is decimated, relying on Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock for 50+ minutes combined. Latest from Thursday morning skates:
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Injury | Notes |
| Ducks | Petr Mrazek | G | Out (IR) | Lower Body | Sidelined since Dec. 5; 3-3-0, 2.51 GAA in 7 GP. Husso starts. |
| Ducks | Lukas Dostal | G | Out (IR) | Upper Body | Out since Dec. 1; 11-5-1, 2.32 GAA in 17 GP. On road trip but unavailable. |
| Ducks | Frank Vatrano | RW | Day-to-Day | Undisclosed | Limited skate; 3G-1A in 30 GP. Expected to play but monitored. |
| Ducks | Alex Killorn | LW | Available | None | Full practice; 8G-12A, key middle-six producer. |
| Ducks | Leo Carlsson | C | Available | None | Ready; rookie sensation with 12G-15A. |
| Islanders | Alexander Romanov | D | Out (IR, Season) | Shoulder | LTIR since Nov. 23; 0G-5A in 12 GP pre-injury. |
| Islanders | Kyle Palmieri | RW | Out (IR, Season) | Knee | Sidelined since Nov. 30; 4G-6A in 20 GP. |
| Islanders | Ethan Bear | D | Out (IR) | Undisclosed | Out since Nov. 30; minimal impact in 15 GP. |
| Islanders | Semyon Varlamov | G | Out (IR) | Knee | Backup role; 0-0-0 this season. Sorokin starts. |
| Islanders | Pierre Engvall | LW | Out (LTIR) | Ankle | No GP yet; long-term absence. |
| Islanders | Jonathan Drouin | LW | Day-to-Day | Back | Limited; 5G-7A off bench. Questionable for tonight. |
| Islanders | Jean-Gabriel Pageau | C | Available | None | Returned Dec. 9; 2G-4A in limited action. |
| Islanders | Ilya Sorokin | G | Available | None | Full go; 10-8-2, .923 SV% in December. |
Anaheim’s net takes a hit without its tandem, while New York’s D corps (already thin) leans on AHL call-ups, potentially exposing Sorokin to odd-man rushes.
Player Matchups
These head-to-heads spotlight Anaheim’s speed against New York’s physical forecheck, with goaltending and special teams as X-factors:
Ducks C Mason McTavish vs. Islanders C Bo Horvat
McTavish (11G-14A, 55% faceoffs) drives Anaheim’s second line with net-front grit, but Horvat (12G-16A, 54% FO) wins key draws and shadows him on PK. McTavish has 6 points in his last 5 road games; Horvat’s checking limits centers to 0.8 points/game.
Islanders C Mathew Barzal vs. Ducks D Radko Gudas
Barzal (9G-18A) exploits transitions with elite edgework, facing Gudas’ stay-at-home physicality (1.5 hits/game, +8 rating). Barzal averages 1.2 points vs. Pacific D; Gudas’ gap control could force turnovers.
Ducks RW Troy Terry vs. Islanders D Noah Dobson
Terry (14G-11A, 22.4% shooting) thrives on the wing with sniper’s touch, drawing Dobson’s puck-moving (5G-15A). Dobson has held wingers under 2 SOG/game; Terry’s PP role (3 PPG) tests NYI’s 84.3% PK.
Islanders G Ilya Sorokin vs. Ducks Top Line (Carlsson-Vatrano-Zeitl)
Sorokin (.923 SV%, 2.18 GAA in Dec.) faces Anaheim’s dynamic trio (combined 25 points last 5), which generates 12.4 SA/game. He’s stopped 92% of high-danger shots; Ducks’ cycle could push 30+ SOG.
Ducks G Ville Husso vs. Islanders RW Anders Lee
Husso (2.45 GAA) battles Lee’s net-front presence (10G, 4 PPG), who’s scored in 40% of home games. Lee’s tip-ins exploit screens; Husso’s .912 SV% vs. top-10 offenses is tested.
New York’s structure favors them, but Anaheim’s rush could create chaos.
Team Records
Anaheim Ducks: 19-10-1 (1st in Pacific Division)
8-6-1 on road, averaging 3.12 GPG (11th) while allowing 2.78 (8th). PP 18.8% (6th), PK 82.1% (15th); +0.34 goal differential, 18-12 ATS.
New York Islanders: 17-11-3 (5th in Metropolitan Division)
8-6-2 at home, averaging 2.89 GPG (20th) and allowing 2.67 (6th). PP 14.3% (25th), PK 84.3% (5th); +0.22 goal differential, 15-16 ATS.
First of two meetings this season; Islanders hold all-time edge.
Recent Team Forms
Anaheim’s streak (4-0-1 last 5) showcases offensive pop (15 GF), while New York’s 4-1 run features shutdown D (8 GA). Both enter hot, but Ducks’ road form (3-2 last 5 away) meets Isles’ home grit.
| Ducks Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| vs. PIT | Dec. 9 | Home | W 4-3 SO | Husso 28/31 saves; Carlsson 1G-1A, 2/4 PP. |
| vs. CHI | Dec. 7 | Home | W 7-1 | Terry 2G; 3/5 PP, dominated shots 53-20. |
| vs. WSH | Dec. 5 | Home | W 4-3 SO | Johnston/Sennecke each 1G-1A; 1/3 PP in thriller. |
| vs. UTA | Dec. 3 | Home | L 0-7 | Husso .794 SV%; Shutout loss, 27 SOG. |
| @ STL | Dec. 1 | Away | W 4-1 | Mintyukov 1G; 0/3 PP, strong road D (22 SA). |
Form Notes: 4-1, outscored foes 19-15. Road wins by 3+ average; PP at 25% last 5.
| Islanders Last 5 Games | Date | Opponent | Result | Key Stats |
| vs. PIT | Dec. 9 | Home | W 5-4 SO | Sorokin 30/34 saves; Horvat GWG, 1/3 PP. |
| @ NYR | Dec. 7 | Away | L 1-4 | Rittich .875 SV%; Outshot 28-32, weak PK (0/2). |
| vs. VGK | Dec. 6 | Home | W 2-0 | Sorokin 29/29 shutout; 0/2 PP, possession edge. |
| vs. COL | Dec. 4 | Home | W 6-3 | Barzal 2A; 2/4 PP, high-event win. |
| vs. NJD | Dec. 2 | Home | W 2-1 | Sorokin 28/29; Clutch PK (4/4), low shots 26-29. |
Form Notes: 4-1, outscored 16-12. Home streak 3-0-1, +2.3 margin; Sorokin 3-1, .945 SV% last 4.
Series History
All-time, the Islanders lead 23-16-4-3 (including ties), with a 12-7-1-2 home record against Anaheim. The Ducks have won two straight (3-1 in 2024, 4-3 in 2023), but New York took four of six from 2018-2022. Average goals: 5.8 per game, with overs in 6 of 10. Recent meetings trend under (4 of last 5 under 6.5), thanks to strong goaltending duels. First clash this season; rematch March 2026 in Anaheim.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: 65% bets/72% handle on Islanders (public on home fave). Isles 9-6 SU as -125+ favorites; Ducks 5-8 SU road underdogs.
Puck Line: 58% bets on Ducks +1.5 (value dog), 60% handle on Islanders -1.5 amid NYI’s 7-3 covering streak home. Ducks 7-5 ATS road.
Total: 55% bets on Under 6.5 (78% handle), as 7 of 10 series under and Isles home games average 5.2 combined GA. Over in 6 of Ducks’ last 8 road.
Key Trends: Ducks 0-12 SU last 12 road after SO win; Isles 6-0 SU last 6 vs. winning teams. Sharps fading Ducks’ streak.
Game Odds
Anaheim Ducks 6.5
New York Islanders – 125
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, December 10, 2025
