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The New York Islanders defeated the Anaheim Ducks 7-1 yesterday, picking up their first win of the season.
Cal Clutterbuck and Oliver Wahlstrom entered the Islanders' lineup in place of Kieffer Bellows and Nikita Soshnikov, while Ilya Sorokin got another start.
The Islanders opened the scoring about midway through the first period, when Anthony Beauvillier hopped on the ice and took the puck off Max Jones to send the Islanders on a rush the other way, resulting in Scott Mayfield burying Anders Lee’s rebound. New York continued to press with more chances right away and under two minutes later, Noah Dobson’s point shot went in off Kevin Shattenkirk, increasing the lead. After outshooting Anaheim by a huge 14-6 margin, New York had a 2-0 lead after the opening frame.
New York continued to dominate most of the second period, extending the lead to 3-0 early in the frame when Jean-Gabriel Pageau picked off a pass in the defensive zone, then sent Oliver Wahlstrom on a breakaway the other way, with Wahlstrom beating Gibson on a nice move. Then later in the frame, the Islanders capitalized on a chance off the rush, with Mayfield’s shot deflecting of Adam Henrique’s skate and over Gibson. New York wasn’t done there, as only about 90 seconds later, Anthony Beauvillier finished off a nice passing play to give the Islanders a 5-0 lead after 40 minutes.
Anthony Stolarz came in for Gibson to start the third period and the Ducks did get on the board early in the frame, when the Islanders couldn’t get the puck out of their end and Troy Terry beat Sorokin with a good shot. However, a pair of goals from Robin Salo later in the period increased the Islanders’ lead to 7-1, with the team cruising to the first win of the season.
The game marked Lane Lambert’s first win as an NHL head coach, and there was certainly a lot to like about the victory.
The Islanders outplayed Anaheim through much of the first 40 minutes and outshot Anaheim 38-23 overall. New York was also able to generate quite a bit of offense off the rush, rather than just once they were already set up in the zone, which was important. After the main issue in the loss to Florida was not being able to generate chances, it also just was really positive to see them able to run up the score in their second game.
As I mentioned before, the Islanders’ defense is jumping into the rush way more, and it’s making a difference. Just in terms of offense from the blue line, six of the Islanders’ eight goals this season have come from the trio of Noah Dobson, Scott Mayfield and Robin Salo.
New York’s penalty kill also continued to do its job, going 4-for-4 in the win.
Through two games, the Islanders look really good. Again, it’s only two games, but there’s reason for optimism.
The Islanders’ next game comes on Tuesday against the San Jose Sharks.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Islanders sign Mathew Barzal to eight-year contract extension
Islanders announce opening night roster
Andy Greene announces retirement
Islanders fall short against Panthers in season opener 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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