photo credit: headtopics
The New York Islanders found the win column for the first time this season Saturday night as they would host the Anaheim Ducks for the second game of their four-game homestand. After falling to the Panthers Thursday, the Isles were out to make some noise and secure the win, and oh, how they did that. This first win of the season not only brings their record to 1-1-0 but also would be the first win as a head coach for Lane Lambert, who previously served as an associate coach under former Islanders coach Barry Trotz. This game would also feature the season debuts of forwards Oliver Wahlstrom and Cal Clutterbuck. Kieffer Bellows and Nikita Soshnikov were healthy scratches as a result.
The Islanders started slow out of the gate, but a lull that would not last long as they would get buzzing quickly. Ilya Sorokin was sharp for the first half of the opening frame, stopping all shots on net. Just past the 10:00 mark of the frame, Scott Mayfield would get the scoring going on a rebound opportunity from Anders Lee. Less than 90 seconds later, Noah Dobson would notch his second goal of the season to extend the Isles lead to 2-0, as this would eventually close the scoring for the period. The special teams were tested throughout the period, going 1-for-1 on the penalty kill. Still, they came up empty on both power play chances, as one power play extended into the second period.
The Islanders penalty kill would be tested almost immediately into the second period, as Mat Barzal would be sent to the box eight seconds in for a hooking minor, forcing the Islanders to play 5-on-3 hockey for 50 seconds. The Islanders would go right back to the penalty kill about seven minutes later, as Brock Nelson would be found guilty of a holding minor. This would eventually lead to another successful penalty kill. In the time between penalties, Oliver Wahlstrom would find the back of the net 5:34 in on a beautiful backhand attempt on the breakaway. Things were just getting started as the floodgates were ready to burst. Scott Mayfield found the back of the cage for his second of the night that deflected off Adam Henrique’s stick en route to the net. To follow the Islander theme of the night of scoring in bunches, Anthony Beauvillier would net his first of the season a minute and a half later to extend the Islander lead to 5-0.
The Ducks would finally show signs of life 1:29 into the third period as forward Troy Terry would put the Ducks on the board and cut the Islander lead to four. Unfortunately for the Ducks, this was the only sign of life they would show for the rest of the game. Robin Salo had a successful rebound tour in this game, as he would score his first two goals of the season to conclude the Islander scoring for the evening. Though the Ducks would challenge his second goal for a high stick (as if it would matter), the call on the ice of a good goal would stand, and the Islanders would skate away victorious for the first time this season. Additionally, the penalty kill was tested two more times in the frame on an Alexander Romanov hooking call and a Scott Mayfield elbowing. They would successfully kill both penalties and finish the night 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.
This game was a tremendous rebound performance for Robin Salo, as he would finish with two goals, a +4 rating, and only one giveaway. There were multiple instances where Salo would be tested by the Ducks offensively and would be solid for each. While also logging 3:44 of powerplay time, it was evident from start to finish that Salo was more comfortable this time compared to his Thursday evening performance.
Noah Dobson remains the most stand-out defenseman for the Islanders, notching another goal on two shots. Dobson was actively throwing pucks to the net all night and created multiple scoring opportunities for the Islanders, and had solid puck control skills on each of the team’s four powerplay attempts.
Mat Barzal is off to a hot start on the season in the assist column. Now with three assists on the season, Barzal is showing early that he can be off to what could turn out to be a point-heavy season for the recently extended forward. Anders Lee is also showing a plus side on his offensive game, now having three assists on the season. All three of Lee’s assists on the season thus far came from this game.
Scott Mayfield has his second solid performance in a row this season, tallying his first two goals this season in this game. While this might not seem like much, it’s always a big deal when a defenseman has two goals in a game, and in this case, two Islander defensemen would have two-goal nights (Salo). In addition to this, Mayfield had three goals in the entire 2021-22 season. Seeing that he now has two in two games, could he have found himself a more offensive touch to his game? Perhaps an early Norris Trophy favorite? (Kidding…or am I?)
Oliver Wahlstrom made it clear tonight that he will make it challenging for Lambert to keep him out of the lineup, notching his first goal of the season in his season debut. In addition to his goal, Wally would also tally an assist on two shots and two hits and finish the game +2. Wahlstrom is another player fans have been dying to see in the lineup on a full-time basis, and if he continues to produce the way he did in this contest, that could very well be the case for the 22-year-old forward.
Ilya Sorokin was back to doing Ilya Sorokin things. His glove hand was on fire tonight, and he was making incredible saves throughout the entire contest and coming up huge during all four Islander penalty-kill efforts.
How could I forget the fourth line? With the return of Cal Clutterbuck to the Islanders lineup, the identity line was a force to be reckoned with tonight, combining for seven of the Islanders hits. Defenseman Alexander Romanov added five more blocked shots to his Islander resume tonight, bringing his season total to 14.
The Islanders look to extend their winning streak Tuesday, October 18th, as they host the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena at 7:30 PM.
