The New York Islanders overcame the Chicago Blackhawks in a nail-biting shootout, securing a 3-2 victory at the United Center on December 30, 2025. The win marked the end of the 2025 calendar year for both teams.

The Islanders jumped to an early lead in the first period, with Cal Ritchie scoring within the first three minutes. Bo Horvat further extended the lead with a power-play goal, making it 2-0. Matthew Schaefer, an 18-year-old defenseman, assisted on Horvat's goal, marking his 25th career point and making him the youngest defenseman in NHL history to reach that milestone.

The Blackhawks responded in the second period with a goal from Teuvo Teravainen, assisted by rookie Oliver Moore and Artyom Levshunov. With only three seconds remaining in the period, Nick Lardis scored to tie the game 2-2.

Neither team scored in the third period, leading to a tense overtime. Nick Foligno of the Blackhawks had an opportunity to win the game in the final seconds of regulation, but his shot hit the post. The Islanders failed to capitalize on a power play in overtime, sending the game to a shootout.

Bo Horvat scored the decisive goal in the shootout, beating Blackhawks' goaltender Spencer Knight on the stick side. Islanders' goaltender David Rittich, making his fifth consecutive start due to Ilya Sorokin's injury, saved shots from Teravainen and Ryan Donato in the shootout. Rittich made 17 saves through regulation and overtime.

The Blackhawks were without key players Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar due to injuries. Jason Dickinson also did not return after the first period.

The Islanders won for the third time in their last four games. The Blackhawks fell to 1-7-1 in their past nine games.