The Minnesota Vikings had some travel trouble Saturday getting to northern New Jersey for their game Sunday at the New York Giants.
Their team plane experienced mechanical issues that required turning around shortly after departing Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, according to a team spokesperson. The Vikings were expected to arrive at Newark International Airport later Saturday night after boarding a second plane and departing just after 7:30 p.m. CST.
Minnesota is 6-8 and, like the 2-12 Giants, has been eliminated from playoff contention. The Vikings are coming off beating Dallas, with this game more about young quarterback J.J. McCarthy getting additional NFL experience.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and wide receiver Jordan Addison celebrate after a touchdown by wide receiver Jalen Nailor during the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, right, greets Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer after an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. The Vikings won, 34-26. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Norris got the deciding goal in the shootout and the Buffalo Sabres beat the New York Islanders 3-2 on Saturday for their fifth straight win.
Rasmus Dahlin had a goal and an assist, and Tage Thompson scored for the sixth consecutive game for the Sabres. Alex Lyon had 32 saves and got an assist on Dahlin's goal.
Mathew Barzal had a goal and an assist, Emil Heineman also scored, and David Rittich made 30 saves for the Islanders, who lost for the third time in four games without leading scorer Bo Horvat.
After Norris scored on the Sabres' attempt in the fifth round of the shootout, Lyon turned aside a try by the Islanders' Calum Ritchie to preserve the win.
Barzal and Buffalo's Jack Quinn also scored in the tiebreaker.
Heineman scored the tying goal for the Islanders on the power play with 29 seconds left in regulation, and with Rittich on the bench for an extra skater.
Barzal got the Islanders on the scoreboard when he pounced on the rebound from his own shot with 23 seconds remaining in the second period.
Dahlin gave Buffalo the lead less than two minutes into the game with a notable individual effort on the power play. With Barzal in the penalty box, Dahlin got the puck from Lyon behind the Sabres' goal and skated the length of the ice, weaving past three Islanders to beat Rittich with a backhand.
Thompson made it 2-0 midway through the second period when he faked a shot from the left circle and swept the puck between Rittich’s leg pad and the right post to equal the career-best scoring streak he set last month. Thompson leads Buffalo with 18 goals — 12 in his last 18 games.
On their longest win streak of the season, the Sabres have now won consecutive home games after firing general manager Kevyn Adams and promoting Jarmo Kekalainen to the position.
Islanders: Host New Jersey on Tuesday night.
Sabres: At New Jersey on Sunday night.
AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/NHL
Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson carries the puck up ice during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Buffalo Sabres center Josh Norris (9) celebrates after his goal during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Philadelphia Flyers, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
