Follow me on Twitter:
@Hockey_Comps
Follow HockeyBuzz Islanders on Twitter:
@HB_Islanders
The New York Islanders picked up an important 7-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, following an offensive outburst in the back half of the game.
The Islanders managed to pull ahead early, with Noah Dobson finding Pierre Engvall with a great cross-zone pass, and Engvall was able to beat Spencer Martin.
We saw a relatively quiet frame from there, though Ivan Provorov did get a good chance at the front of the Islanders' net, drawing a penalty in the process. The Blue Jackets were moving the puck well on the ensuing man advantage and had some good chances, but couldn’t convert. New York had the momentum from there though, and Bo Horvat had a great chance on partial breakaway with seconds remaining in the opening frame, but his stick snapped, and the Islanders remained up by one through 20 minutes.
Columbus managed to tie the game early in the second period, however, with Emil Bemstrom getting to a rebound off the boards and beating Semyon Varlamov before he could get over. Then about four minutes later, Adam Fantilli took a pass from Kent Johnson and beat Varlamov, giving Columbus the lead.
The Islanders had very little momentum in the immediate stretch that followed, but then about four minutes later, the fourth line was able to force a turnover, before Hudson Fasching got the puck out front to Cal Clutterbuck, who beat Martin to tie the game again.
Then with just over a minute to go in the period, a point shot from Scot Mayfield deflected right to Mathew Barzal, who beat Martin to put New York back ahead. The Islanders weren't done there, and after the Blue Jackets took a penalty, Kyle Palmieri took a pass from Brock Nelson to score on an open net, giving the Islanders a two-goal lead out of nowhere to head to intermission up 4-2.
Adam Fantilli pulled the Blue Jackets back to within one early in the third period though, and the worries of another blown lead started to creep in. However, Mathew Barzal managed to reinstate the two-goal lead only a little later, getting a puck in the slot and beating Martin before he could get over.
Then later, we saw Bo Horvat take over, first coming down ice to track down a puck, and while his initial shot was stopped, he took the rebound around the net and scored on with a backhander. Then only 20 seconds later, as the line stayed on the ice, Horvat took a pass from Barzal in front and made no mistake, putting the Islanders ahead 7-3.
With the three unanswered goals, the Islanders cruised from there for a much-needed home win.
The hope is that this was exactly the kind of win the Islanders needed.
While it was far from a perfect performance, and the team was even outplayed through a lot of the second period, the Islanders managed to do what they’ve struggled with through much of the season: ending the game strong. With six goals in roughly the last 25 minutes of the game, this is finally a game the team can look to build a bit of momentum from.
The top line had a massive game, outshooting opponents 19-6 at 5-on-5 (according to NaturalStatTrick.com), with each of Mathew Barzal and Bo Horvat scoring twice. Barzal and Horvat continue to really lead the way for New York recently, looking like the difference-makers the team needs them to be. Horvat is on a five-game point streak where he’s scored four goals and nine points, while Barzal has four goals and 11 points over just his last four games.
The win didn’t come without a cost though, as Ryan Pulock was placed on injured reserve for a lower-body injury, serving as yet another blow to New York's defense group. Pulock had blocked a shot in the third period and fell to the ice in some pain.
Credit to Alexander Romanov and Noah Dobson though – both at just 23 years old, the two defenders are being counted on to basically carry the blue line at this point, with each blue liner playing 25 minutes last night, while no other defender on the team even broke 20 minutes.
After a series of blown leads and inconsistent finishes, the Islanders finished the game strong with a good third period. Hopefully, it’s something to build off and not just a flash in the pan.
The Islanders will be back in action tomorrow, when they host the Los Angeles Kings, who remain undefeated through 11 road games to start the season.
–
In other news, the Islanders also completed a trade today, acquiring defenseman Robert Bortuzzo from the St. Louis Blues, in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick.
Bortuzzo is 34 years old and has spent nearly the last decade of his career with the Blues, winning a Stanley Cup with the organization in 2019. The defenseman suited up for just four games with St. Louis this season, and is in the final season of a two-year contract.
With Pulock being injured, Bortuzzo can provide a bit of depth on the right side. He won’t add much offense, but can add a physical, defense-first presence in a depth role, and will get a better opportunity on the depleted New York blue line than he had in St. Louis.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
- Islanders sneak past Hurricanes, but win doesn’t inspire much confidence
- Concerns with Islanders continue to mount despite better results 
New York Islanders Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»