Holmstrom scores twice as Islanders hold on to beat Flames 3-2

New York Islanders defenceman Matthew Schaefer (48) passes the puck around Calgary Flames centre Mikael Backlund (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

NEW YORK (AP) — Simon Holmstrom scored twice and the New York Islanders raced to an early lead and then held on to beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 on Saturday.

Casey Cizikas also scored for New York and David Rittich made 30 saves as the Islanders won for the third time in four games.

Mikael Backlund and Blake Coleman scored for Calgary, which slipped to 2-5-1 in its last eight games. Devin Cooley started in net for the Flames and allowed three goals on 10 shots in the first period. Dustin Wolf replaced Cooley to start the second period and finished with 17 saves.

Holmstrom gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead with his first goal of the game when he collected a pass from Luke Schenn and scored on a shot over Cooley’s blocker at 16:35 of the first. It was Schenn’s first assist at UBS Arena since being acquired by the Islanders from St. Louis at the trade deadline.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau set up Holmstrom for a short-handed goal in the final minute of the first period, extending the Islanders’ lead to 3-0.

Backlund and Coleman scored during a 6:11 stretch of the third period to pull Calgary within a goal.

UP NEXT

Flames: Visit the Detroit Red Wings on Monday to wrap up a five-game road trip.

Islanders: Visit the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

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

Scott Charles, The Associated Press