Islanders rally from a multigoal deficit to beat the Panthers 5-2

NEW YORK (AP) — Brayden Schenn had a goal and two assists, Matthew Schaefer tied the rookie defenseman franchise scoring record and the New York Islanders rallied to beat the two-time defending champion Florida Panthers 5-2 on Saturday and keep pace in a competitive Eastern Conference playoff race.

Schenn, acquired at the trade deadline, scored the tying goal in the second period after U.S. Olympic gold medal-winner Matthew Tkachuk put Florida up 2-0 through 14 minutes. Fourth-liner Marc Gatcomb started the comeback and later assisted on Casey Cizikas’ goal that made it 5-2.

Schaefer with a pair of assists matched Stefan Persson from 1977-78 at 56 points. His next goal will tie Schaefer with Brian Leetch for the most by a rookie defenseman in NHL history.

Ilya Sorokin allowed only the two goals from Tkachuk and stopped the other 17 shots he faced. Swedes Simon Holmstrom and Emil Heineman also scored for the Islanders, who have won two in a row since losing three of their previous four.

The injury-ravaged Panthers moved a step closer to getting eliminated from playoff contention. They're without forwards Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Anton Lundell, Evan Rodrigues and A.J. Greer and have not had captain Aleksander Barkov all season after he tore ligaments in his right knee during training camp.

Panthers: Visit the Rangers on Sunday.

Islanders: Host the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday night.

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

New York Islanders center Brayden Schenn (10) shoots and scores a goal in front of Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders center Brayden Schenn (10) reacts after scoring a goal past Florida Panthers goaltender Daniil Tarasov in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders right wing Simon Holmstrom (92) reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

New York Islanders left wing Emil Heineman reacts after scoring a goal in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Florida Panthers, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

HAVANA (AP) — Mexico's navy said Saturday it found two sailboats that had gone missing while carrying humanitarian aid to Cuba.

The vessels carrying nine people departed from Isla Mujeres in southern Mexico on March 20 and then lost contact, fueling concern in Mexico, Cuba and beyond.

In a post on X on Saturday morning, the navy said an aircraft spotted the boats 80 nautical miles (148 kilometers) northwest of Havana, Cuba, and that a boat was on the way to provide help.

The organization Nuestra América Convoy said Friday that based on the speed of the vessels reported to the Cuban maritime authorities, the window of arrival for the boats in Havana should be between Friday and Saturday and that the boats were led by experienced sailors.

James Schneider, communications director for Progressive International who helped coordinate the Nuestra America convoy to Cuba, thanked Mexican and Cuban authorities for their help on Saturday and said he was “relieved” to hear they were safe.

“The crews are safe, and the vessels are continuing their journey to Havana,” he said. “The convoy remains on track to complete its mission — delivering urgently needed humanitarian aid to the Cuban people."

The boat's imminent arrival comes as an increasing number of countries and aid organizations have sent shipments of aid to Cuba while a U.S. fuel blockade has caused crippling blackouts and pushes the Caribbean nation to the brink of collapse. President Donald Trump in a speech Friday said “Cuba is next” after speaking about military actions in Venezuela and Iran.

The fuel blockade has prompted United Nations leaders to warn of a potential “humanitarian crisis” in the island's future amid mounting concerns by human rights and religious leaders as hospitals, schools and many residents go without power for long stretches.

The same day the boat was located, a delegation of religious leaders also arrived in Cuba. They visited hospitals and a nursing home, and met with other religious leaders on the island.

“Immense suffering is being caused to the people,” said the Rev. Philip Vinod Peacock, general secretary of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.

Activists from the vessel Maguro that arrived from Mexico, behind, as part of the "Nuestra America," or Our America convoy, unload humanitarian aid with the help of Cuban port workers in Havana Bay, Cuba, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (Jorge Luis Banos/IPS via AP, Pool)

Activists from the vessel Maguro, that arrived from Mexico, unload solar panels and other humanitarian aid from the "Nuestra America," or Our America convoy, at the port in Havana Bay, Cuba, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (Jorge Luis Banos/IPS via AP, Pool)

Activists wave Cuban and Palestinian flags from the vessel Maguro, arriving from Mexico with humanitarian aid as part of the "Nuestra America," or Our America convoy, in Havana Bay, Cuba, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)

Activists wave Cuban and Palestinian flags from the vessel Maguro, arriving from Mexico with humanitarian aid as part of the "Nuestra America," or Our America Convoy, in Havana Bay, Cuba, Tuesday, March 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)