The New York Islanders improved to 1-1 on the year last night, defeating the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 4-1. Here’s the game report (and I do apologize that it’s coming so late in the day).
The first period was pretty slow. Maybe that’s just contrasting it to the second period but I didn’t find it overly exciting. Greiss made some good saves and Leo Komarov had one of the better chances of the period on a shorthanded breakaway but overall it wasn’t very eventful.
The Islanders opened the scoring in the second period with a power play goal (which is very nice to see after last year’s less-than-stellar operation with the man advantage). The Jets had pretty brutal defensive zone coverage as the Islanders entered the zone and Devon Toews found Anthony Beauvillier, who set up Josh Bailey for an easy tap-in. Ryan Pulock and Mathew Barzal had some great chances after that as the Islanders really took the momentum but Laurent Brossoit made some good saves to keep Winnipeg in the game.
Shortly after though, Brock Nelson won a faceoff, sent it back to the blue line and found his way to the front of the net, eventually scoring off a Josh Bailey pass. It’s only been two games but Nelson has looked very good so far, in my opinion.
The Jets hit a post, followed by Nelson almost scoring his second goal of the game shorthanded- but Brossoit made not one but two breakaway stops on Nelson. A few minutes later, Brossoit came up big again making stops on a partial three-on-one and the multiple rebounds that followed. I thought the concern over Winnipeg’s defense this year was overblown but I was very wrong. If not for Brossoit this could have gotten really ugly.
The Islanders did increase their lead to three before the end before the end of the second period though, as a Scott Mayfield point shot deflected off Anders Lee’s skate, changing direction and bouncing in. Leddy almost made it 4-0 off a two-on-one, when he hit rang a shot off the post. Patrik Laine did bring it back to 3-1 just before the end of the period, ripping an absolute laser past Thomas Greiss.
It can’t be overstated how poorly the Jets were defensively in the second. I lost track of how many odd-man rushes there were. Brossoit face 19 shots in the period alone and despite allowing two goals, was the only reason the Jets were still in the game.
After Thomas Greiss stopped Mathieu Perreault on a partial breakaway to open the third, Anthony Beauvillier scored from close on a rebound from a point shot to restore New York’s three goal lead.
Thomas Greiss took over after that, making some good stops (36 on the night total) to preserve an Islanders win (and reaffirm why I took him as my third goalie in fantasy hockey). The Islanders’ second period was certainly their best of the season so far but generally they looked good all game. I’ll also say this: if Winnipeg can’t get their defense straightened out, I can’t see any way that this is a playoff team. They’ve given up at least four goals in each of their first three games to start the year (14 total). Not to take anything away from the Islanders but they’re a team known for their defense and goaltending and the Jets’ made New York’s offense look great based on the chances they were able to get.
Regardless, this is a great win for the Islanders and a great way to get back on track after a disappointing home opener.
New York will be back in action tomorrow when they host the Edmonton Oilers.
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OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Game Recap (Game 1): NYI vs WSH
Josh Ho-Sang has requested a trade
Fritz, Hickey and Ho-Sang clear waivers 
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