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Weekly Recap: Islanders Edition (February 21)

February 21, 2021, 2:25 PM ET [249 Comments]
Ben Shelley
New York Islanders Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Follow me on Twitter: @BenShelley_20
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The New York Islanders played four games this week and a key forward returned to the lineup. Here's a recap of news and notes from the week.


ISLANDERS WIN TWO OF FOUR GAMES

The Islanders played four games this week, sweeping their two-game series against the Buffalo Sabres, before dropping both games against the Pittsburgh Penguins later in the week.


BEAUVILLIER RETURNS TO LINEUP

Anthony Beauvillier returned to the Islanders’ lineup this week, after missing nine games with a lower-body injury. Beauvillier has one assist in three games since returning to action.


ILYA SOROKIN GETS FIRST NHL WIN

Ilya Sorokin picked up his first NHL win (and shutout) this week, as the Islanders defeated the Buffalo Sabres 3-0. Sorokin currently holds an .895 save percentage through four games.


BOLDUC STARTING STRONG IN AHL

Prospect Samuel Bolduc, selected by the Islanders in the second round of the 2019 NHL Draft, is off to a hot start in his first year of professional hockey. The defenseman has two goals and five points in five games with the AHL’s Bridgeport Sound Tigers.



As for our poll questions this week, here are the results, along with my thoughts on how they turned out.



QUESTION: Other than Mathew Barzal, who has been New York’s best player so far?

(Votes: 73)

Jean-Gabriel Pageau: 45%
Jordan Eberle: 32%
Anders Lee: 22%
Someone else: 1%

Pageau is one of very few forwards who might be producing at a higher rate than expected, along with remaining very reliable defensively. Especially with Brock Nelson’s slow start, Pageau’s strong performance down the middle has been crucial for New York.



QUESTION: Are you in favour of having Josh Bailey on the first line and moving Jordan Eberle down the lineup?

(Votes: 79)

No: 57%
Yes: 43%

I actually didn’t mind this decision at the time, considering how much the second line had been struggling. It didn’t last long though, with Eberle rejoining the first line last night.



QUESTION: Are you in favour of Kieffer Bellows having a spot in the Islanders’ lineup?

(Votes: 47)

No: 53%
Yes: 47%

The Islanders certainly need to integrate younger players into their lineup and heading into the season, I was in favour of Bellows getting a spot on the third line. That said, Bellows hasn’t been able to make much of an impact in limited action this season.



***NOTE: We've launched a HockeyBuzz Islanders Twitter account! For anyone interested, you can follow @HB_Islanders for updates on articles, Islanders news, etc.***


OTHER ARTICLES FROM FEBRUARY:

Islanders fall to Flyers in overtime, losing streak extends to five games
Islanders vs. Sabres game postponed
Weekly Recap: Islanders Edition (February 8)
Semyon Varlamov picks up third shutout, Islanders beat Rangers 2-0
Islanders fall to Penguins in shootout
Islanders sign Robin Salo to entry-level contract
Weekly Recap: Islanders Edition (February 14)
Islanders beat Sabres 3-1
Ilya Sorokin picks up first NHL win, Islanders shut out Sabres
Islanders look to bounce back after loss to Penguins
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