Associated Press
ST. LOUIS (AP) — The New York Islanders didn’t wait very long to put a bad loss the previous night behind them.
John Tavares scored early to start New York’s three-goal first period, Thomas Greiss stopped 35 shots and the Islanders beat the St. Louis Blues 5-2 Saturday night.
Anders Lee had a goal and an assist, and Casey Cizikas, Jordan Eberle and Joshua Ho-Sang also scored to help the Islanders bounce back from a 5-0 loss at Dallas one night earlier.
“As players we know we’re the ones that go out on the ice and obviously have to do the job and execute,” Tavares said. “The system and the framework that they want us to play with, we weren’t really close to that last night so we just wanted to get out there and be a lot more competitive like we know we can be.”
Greiss won for the third time in his last four starts for New York, which had just one win in its previous four games (1-2-1).
“In the beginning of the season it took a couple of games to get going and feel the puck,” Greiss said. “It always takes a little bit (for me) to get going.”
Tavares was very pleased with his goalie’s performance.
“He made some big saves,” Tavares said. “Any time you see your goalie locked in like that and making some big saves you want to reward him.”
Brayden Schenn and Scottie Upshall scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen had 14 saves before he was pulled after Ho-Sang put the Islanders up 4-0 at 3:35 of the second period. Carter Hutton came on and stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced.
After the Islanders mustered just 14 shots on goal in the loss to the Stars on Friday night, Tavares got them on the scoreboard 3:21 into the game as he came from behind the net and beat Allen from point-blank range.
Cizikas got the rebound of a shot by Nick Leddy and easily beat Allen to double the lead just past the midpoint of the period.
Eberle made it 3-0 as he took a pass from Jason Chimera on a 2-on-1 break and fired it past Allen on the glove side with 6:42 remaining for his sixth of the season and fourth in the last four games.
The Blues, who snapped three-game winning streak and lost for just the second time in their last nine games, had allowed only six first-period goals all season.
“That’s three games in a row now (with poor starts),” Blues coach Mike Yeo said. “We got away with it for two (games) so we’ve been playing with fire.”
Ho-Sang, called up from Bridgeport of the AHL earlier in the day to replace the injured Anthony Beauvillier, then chased Allen early in the second.
The Blues finally got on the board with 8 1/2 left in the second a wrist shot from Schenn. Upshall scored off a scrum in front of Greiss at 6:41 of the third to pull St. Louis to 4-2.
Lee capped the scoring on a deflection with 4 1/2 minutes to go.
“We took advantage of some plays, but we got pucks in,” Islanders coach Doug Weight said. “We were aggressive. We were skating.”
NOTES: The Blues wore camouflage jerseys during pregame warm-ups in honor of Veterans Day with the jerseys scheduled to be auctioned to benefit H.E.R.O.E.S Care and Operation Shower. ... Weight coached in St. Louis for the first time. Weight played parts of six seasons with the Blues. ... The Blues held a moment of silence for Arianna Dougan, the 11-year-old girl who Vladimir Tarasenko befriended last season and who spent time with the team on a road trip while fighting cancer. She passed away earlier in the day. ... Blues F Vladimir Sobotka played in his 400th career NHL game. ... The Islanders improved to 5-0-0 when scoring first this season.
UP NEXT
Islanders: Host Carolina on Thursday night.
Blues: At Calgary on Monday night for the start of a three-game road trip.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Saturday, November 11, 2017
Bishop, Stars shut out Islanders 5-0
Associated Press
DALLAS (AP) — It was another nice night for John Klingberg. Ben Bishop, too.
Klingberg had a goal and two assists, Bishop recorded his 20th career shutout and the Stars beat the New York Islanders 5-0 on Friday.
The 25-year-old Klingberg leads NHL defensemen with 18 points.
“I see a young guy maturing,” coach Ken Hitchcock said. “He’s just got a calmness to the way he’s moving the puck, and it’s helping, not only helping him, but it’s helping his partner too.”
Klingberg’s partner, Esa Lindell, had a goal and an assist.
“I just feel like I’m playing a really good all-around game right now,” Klingberg said. “Felt really good. The confidence is good right now.”
Bishop made 14 saves in his first shutout of the season. He got some help 3 1/2 minutes into the second period when Tyler Seguin swept the puck away from the net to prevent an Islanders goal.
“Ben was really competitive and he was battling like crazy in the net,” Hitchcock said.
Klingberg got each of his points in the first. He put Dallas in front with his fourth goal 1:32 into the first, and then assisted on scores by Gemel Smith and Lindell.
Mattias Janmark added Dallas’ first short-handed goal of the season at 6:54 of the second, and Jason Spezza made it 5-0 with a power-play goal with 4 minutes left in the period. Spezza ended a 16-game goal drought.
The Stars seemed to benefit from some changes to their lines. With Seguin now centering the Stars’ second group, Smith was moved up to the top line. Jamie Benn has moved to center with Alexander Radulov on the right wing.
“It was a good feeling playing with that line, playing with two magicians,” Smith said.
Jaroslav Halak had 24 saves for the Islanders, who have allowed a league-high seven short-handed goals.
“Some heart would be nice to see,” Islanders coach Doug Weight told MSG Network after the game, “some work ethic, maybe following a game plan and maybe some consistency as far as getting pucks in.”
NOTES: Klingberg, Benn and Seguin entered the game tied for the Stars’ scoring lead with 15 points apiece. ... Radulov extended his points streak to seven games with his assist on Smith’s goal. ... New York rookie Mathew Barzal had a six-game points streak end. ... The Islanders’ Anthony Beauvillier was helped off the ice in the third period after a shot by Klingberg hit the defenseman’s right ankle. “You hate to see it,” Weight said. “It was the same exact spot twice. Hopefully he’s OK.” ... Dallas activated RW Brett Ritchie from injured reserve and placed Tyler Pitlick on IR. ... C Alan Quine returned from a conditioning assignment in the AHL to play his first game this season for the Islanders.
UP NEXT
Islanders: Complete a two-night, two-game trip on Saturday at St. Louis.
Stars: Begin a three-game trip on Monday at Carolina.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
McDavid scores quickly in OT, Oilers beat Islanders 2-1
By DENIS P. GORMAN
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Connor McDavid stormed down the ice with Leon Draisaitl trailing a step behind. Two slick passes and a one-timer later, and the game was over.
McDavid scored 38 seconds into overtime to lead the Edmonton Oilers over the New York Islanders 2-1 on Tuesday night.
McDavid intercepted an off-target pass by John Tavares to start a 2-on-1. McDavid carried the puck into the New York end of the ice dropping the puck to Draisaitl, who flipped a behind-the-back pass to McDavid at the circle to set up a one-timer.
The goal was the sixth of the year for McDavid.
“Our two big guns took it down the ice and got us a win,” said Cam Talbot, who made 36 saves. “That’s what we look to them for in situations like that, and we got it tonight.”
Draisaitl also scored for Edmonton, which has won two of three to improve to 5-8-1.
“When you have the record we have right now, the right note’s winning all of them,” Edmonton coach Todd McLellan said.
The Islanders didn’t come out too disappointed, either, despite losing two of three and falling to 8-5-2. New York is 5-0-2 at Barclays Center this season.
“I knew it was going to be a tough game,” New York coach Doug Weight said. “They played one of their better games. We did as well.”
Thomas Greiss made 23 saves, and the Islanders got their goal from former Oiler Jordan Eberle. The first of two regular-season meetings between the teams also marked the first matchup since Edmonton traded Eberle to New York in June for Ryan Strome.
“It was really weird,” Eberle said. “As the game went on I settled in and started to play. I didn’t know what to expect. ... Your mind starts to settle in after the first (period).”
Each goalie made 17 saves before Draisaitl broke through to make it 1-0 1:59 into the second period. It was Draisaitl’s fourth goal of the season.
Eberle scored 2:44 later, snapping a shot from the right circle over Talbot’s glove.
Both teams tightened up defensively after that, although there were some scoring chances. McDavid had a short-handed semi-breakaway late in the second period, but New York defenseman Ryan Pulock’s effort took away shooting options from the reigning Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner. Early in the third, Zack Kassian couldn’t convert a side-of-the-goal shot attempt as Greiss came out to challenge.
NOTES: New York RW Josh Bailey’s nine-game point streak ended. Bailey leads the Islanders with 15 assists and 18 points. ... During the third period, New York announced LW Nikolay Kulemin would not return after suffering an upper body injury. He had been boarded by defenseman Eric Gryba in the second period.
UP NEXT
Oilers: Continue four-game East Coast trip Thursday night in New Jersey.
Islanders: Begin a two-game road trip Friday night in Dallas.
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Connor McDavid stormed down the ice with Leon Draisaitl trailing a step behind. Two slick passes and a one-timer later, and the game was over.
McDavid scored 38 seconds into overtime to lead the Edmonton Oilers over the New York Islanders 2-1 on Tuesday night.
McDavid intercepted an off-target pass by John Tavares to start a 2-on-1. McDavid carried the puck into the New York end of the ice dropping the puck to Draisaitl, who flipped a behind-the-back pass to McDavid at the circle to set up a one-timer.
The goal was the sixth of the year for McDavid.
“Our two big guns took it down the ice and got us a win,” said Cam Talbot, who made 36 saves. “That’s what we look to them for in situations like that, and we got it tonight.”
Draisaitl also scored for Edmonton, which has won two of three to improve to 5-8-1.
“When you have the record we have right now, the right note’s winning all of them,” Edmonton coach Todd McLellan said.
The Islanders didn’t come out too disappointed, either, despite losing two of three and falling to 8-5-2. New York is 5-0-2 at Barclays Center this season.
“I knew it was going to be a tough game,” New York coach Doug Weight said. “They played one of their better games. We did as well.”
Thomas Greiss made 23 saves, and the Islanders got their goal from former Oiler Jordan Eberle. The first of two regular-season meetings between the teams also marked the first matchup since Edmonton traded Eberle to New York in June for Ryan Strome.
“It was really weird,” Eberle said. “As the game went on I settled in and started to play. I didn’t know what to expect. ... Your mind starts to settle in after the first (period).”
Each goalie made 17 saves before Draisaitl broke through to make it 1-0 1:59 into the second period. It was Draisaitl’s fourth goal of the season.
Eberle scored 2:44 later, snapping a shot from the right circle over Talbot’s glove.
Both teams tightened up defensively after that, although there were some scoring chances. McDavid had a short-handed semi-breakaway late in the second period, but New York defenseman Ryan Pulock’s effort took away shooting options from the reigning Hart Trophy and Ted Lindsay Award winner. Early in the third, Zack Kassian couldn’t convert a side-of-the-goal shot attempt as Greiss came out to challenge.
NOTES: New York RW Josh Bailey’s nine-game point streak ended. Bailey leads the Islanders with 15 assists and 18 points. ... During the third period, New York announced LW Nikolay Kulemin would not return after suffering an upper body injury. He had been boarded by defenseman Eric Gryba in the second period.
UP NEXT
Oilers: Continue four-game East Coast trip Thursday night in New Jersey.
Islanders: Begin a two-game road trip Friday night in Dallas.
Tuesday, November 7, 2017
GAMEDAY: Eberle, Strome face former teams when Isles host Oilers
7 P.M. - BARCLAYS CENTER
TV: MSG+, MSG GO
RADIO: 88.7FM - WRHU, AM970 - The Answer, 103.9FM - LI News
Islanders forward Jordan Eberle and Oilers forward Ryan Strome are expected to face their former team for the first time since being traded for each other on June 22 when the Isles take on the Edmonton Oilers at Barclays Center on Tuesday night.
"There's a lot of excitement. There's a little more incentive to win," Eberle said. "You're going to play a team that you played for for a long time, so it'll be a good game and I'm looking forward to it."
Eberle – who recorded 165-217—382 in 507 games across seven seasons with Edmonton – ranks fifth among Islanders skaters with 4-7—11 in 14 games this season.
"I enjoyed my time there. They gave me a chance to start and gave me an opportunity and I went from there," Eberle said.
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 7, 2017Strome – who registered 45-81—126 in 258 games with the Islanders across four seasons – has five points (2-3—5 in 13 GP) for the Oilers in 2017-18.
"Obviously a lot of mixed feelings, especially seeing some friends last night brings back a lot of good memories," Strome said. "All in all it's been good. Great staff here, great teammates and everyone has made the transition pretty easy."
LINEUP NOTES
Greiss in goal: Thomas Greiss gets his second straight start for the Islanders. Greiss made 31 saves in his last outing, a 6-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche. Greiss is 4-0-2 with a 1.21 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage in six games against the Oilers.
Hickey in, Seidenbreg out: Doug Weight is only making one change to his lineup, inserting Thomas Hickey and extracting Dennis Seidenberg. Hickey gets back into the lineup after sitting out Sunday's game.
ISLANDERS PROJECTED LINES
FORWARDS
LW-C-RW
Lee-Tavares-Bailey
Ladd-Barzel-Eberle
Beauvillier-Nelson-Chimera
Kulemin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck
DEFENSE
Leddy-Boychuck
de Haan-Mayfield
Hickey-Pulock
OILERS PROJECTED LINES
FORWARDS
LW-C-RW
Maroon-McDavid-Draisaitl
Lucic-Nugent Hopkins-Slepyshev
Caggiula-Strome-Jokinee
Pakarinen-Letestu-Kassian
DEFENSE
Nurse-Larsson
Klefbom-Benning
Russell-Gryba
BRAVO, JOHNNY
Last Monday, Islanders captain John Tavares earned the NHL's top honors as First Star of the Week for the week ending on Oct. 29. On Tuesday, Tavares recorded his first hat trick of the season against the Arizona Coyotes then followed it up on Saturday in Nashville when Tavares recorded the second natural hat trick of his career, scoring three goals in the third period and once again being named the game's No. 1 Star in the club’s 6-2 win over the Predators. Tavares joined Mike Bossy and Ziggy Palffy as the only Islanders to score two hat tricks in a span of three games or fewer. Tavares is now tied for third in Islanders franchise history with eight career hat tricks.
RAISING THE BAR(ZAL)
20 year-old rookie Mathew Barzal stayed hot on Sunday when he set an Islanders franchise rookie record with five assists in the game. Barzal is currently riding a five-game point streak and has posted 10 points over that five-game stretch.
JOSH'IN AROUND
Isles' veteran forward, Josh Bailey is off to a hot start in the 2017-18 campaign. On Monday, Bailey was named the No. 2 Star of the week for the week ending on Nov. 5. Bailey, the Islanders longest active tenured player, is currently riding a nine-game point streak, good for current longest in the NHL and of Bailey's career. Bailey's 15 assists ranks first on the Islanders and top 3 in the League. Bailey's three helpers on Oct. 30 vs. VGK made him the first Islander to post at least 11 assists in the month of October since 1997 (Robert Reichel, 12)
HOW THE WEST WAS WON
The Islanders are 25-4-4 all-time vs. Western Conference opponents at Barclay Center. Starting on Oct. 21 vs SJS, the Islanders will play 9 of their next 10 games against Western Conference teams (five at home). This season the Islanders are 4-0-1 against the West at home.
WEIGHING-IN
In Saturday night's win over the Predators in Nashville, Head coach, Doug Weight became the fastest Islanders coach to 30 wins (51 games) beating Peter Laviolette (60 games) and Ted Nolan (61 games). Weight is 32-17-5 as the Islanders head coach.
THREES COMPANY
The Islanders are 8-2-0 when scoring at least three goals (including SO winners). They are 0-3-1 when they do not hit the three-goal mark.
IRONMEN
Jason Chimera is the Islanders reigning ironman with 202 consecutive games played (106 w/ WSH, 96 with NYI). Jordan Eberle is second with 165 straight games (151 with EDM). Josh Bailey holds the longest ironman streak in an Isles uniform (163).
MOVING ON UP
John Tavares continues to move up the Islanders record books this season. So far this season, Tavares (601 GP, 247 G, 308A, 555P) has passes both Garry Howatt (596) and John Tonelli (594) in games played for the franchise. He also passed Bob Nystrom (235) and Bob Bourne (238) in goals, Boune in assists (304) and Bourne (542) and Tonelli (544) in points.
THE OPPOSITION
• Zack Kassian is one point from reaching 100 career NHL points.
• Talbot is two games from reaching 200 career NHL games.
• The Oilers rank second in the NHL with an average of 37.8 shots per game.
• The Oilers have had a lead or been tied after two periods in eight of their first 13 games.
• The 2-0 loss on Nov. 5 to Detroit marked the first time the Oilers had been shut out at home since Ottawa defeated the Oilers 2-0 on Oct. 30, 2016.
Monday, November 6, 2017
Bailey Named NHL Second Star of the Week
The National Hockey League announced today that Josh Bailey has been named the Second Star of the Week.
Bailey posted seven assists over three games to help the Islanders to a 2-1-0 record last week. Bailey opened the week with three assists against the Vegas Golden Knights helping him become the first Islander since 1997 to post 11 helpers in the month of October (R. Reichel). He followed up his career-month with back-to-back, two-assist nights in both Thursday's loss in Washington and Sunday's 6-4 win over Colorado.
Bailey's seven points were tied for the most in the NHL last week, joining Islanders' rookie Mathew Barzal (one goal, six assists).
Bailey is currently riding the NHL's longest active point streak (nine games) and assist streak (eight games), both good for his career-longs. Over his nine-game point streak that started back on Oct. 15 in Los Angeles, Bailey has totaled 16 points (2G, 14A), second most in the NHL over that time (Stamkos, 18).
Bailey currently ranks tied for second in the NHL in assists with 15.
This is Bailey's first time winning NHL Star of the Week honors.
Mathew Barzal has 5 assists, Islanders beat Avalanche 6-4
By CHRISTIAN ARNOLD
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — Mathew Barzal put on a passing clinic for the New York Islanders.
Barzal had a franchise-rookie record five assists in the Islanders’ 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night.
“It’s pretty cool I didn’t know,” Barzal said about the record. “Actually (Jordan Eberle) was saying maybe six would be a record, but we were just joking around. I had no idea, so that’s a pretty cool thing to do.”
Barzal becoming just the sixth player in Islanders’ history with five assists in a game, joining Mike Bossy, Denis Potvin, Stefan Persson, Brent Sutter and Pat LaFontaine.
Bossy set the team record of six assists in 1981. Barzal also tied a franchise-rookie record with five points in a game.
Eberle and Nick Leddy scored twice for New York, and Johnny Boychuk and Scott Mayfield also contributed goals. Thomas Greiss made 31 saves.
“It’s fun to play with him,” Eberle said about Barzal. “His speed is his number one attribute. I just want to create space for him.”
Alexander Kerfoot scored twice for Colorado, and Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog also connected.
The Islanders won for the sixth time in eight games and ended Colorado’s three-game winning streak. Sunday night was also the first time this season that three defensemen scored in a single game.
The wild night on the ice was nearly overshadowed off of it when Matt Duchene was traded from Colorado to Ottawa in deal that involved the Nashville Predators. Duchene stealthy left the ice when team trainers were helping injured Avs forward Blake Comeau off the ice in the middle of the first period.
Trade rumors had been swirling around Duchene since the start of the season and reports over the weekend suggested a trade between the three teams nearly took place prior to Sunday night.
“It’s very weird,” Duchene said. “Obviously, being pulled in a game then to be playing my first two games against my old team is gonna be pretty strange, but it was something I half expected. I have nothing but good things to say about my time here and my teammates. It’s been an absolute blast.”
Duchene left the arena in the middle of the second period, briefly speaking with reporters, before jumping into a black SUV waiting outside the Barclays Center.
The Islanders scored less than five minutes into the first period on a fluky goal from Mayfield. The defenseman skated from the point down to the side of the net, where Sven Andrighetto tried to sweep the puck away but inadvertently pushed it past his own goaltender.
Bailey was credited with the primary assist on the goal and extended his points streak to nine games.
Eberle gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead when he finished off a good feed from Barzal. The goal was Eberle’s third as an Islanders and the assist extended Barzal’s points streak to five games.
MacKinnon scored 40 seconds into the second period, briefly pulling Colorado within one goal. Leddy scored less than a minute later to put the Islanders back in front by two goals.
Leddy scored again moments later to give the Islanders a 4-1 lead. Boychuk scored off a shot from the point at 9:46 of the second period and Eberle scored his second of the game 1:23 into the third period.
Landeskog scored Colorado’s second goal at 13:02 of the second period on a scramble in front of the net. MacKinnon recorded an assist on the game extending his multi-point game streak to four.
Kerfoot scored the Avalanche’s third and fourth goals in the final minute of the game pulling them within two goals.
“They had some fortunate bounces, but that’s how sometimes the game works,” Erik Johnson said. “Minus the result, we were happy with the way we played. You never want to come up on the losing end, but as a group we played a pretty solid game.”
NOTES: The Islanders held a moment of silence before Sunday night’s game to honor the victims of the terror attack in New York City as well the victims in Sunday’s church shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. ... The Islanders scratched defensemen Thomas Hickey and Adam Pelech against Colorado. Alan Quine was also listed as a scratch for New York. The Avalanche scratched defenseman Andrei Mironov. ... Sunday’s game against the Islanders was Colorado’s final one before leaving for Sweden. The Avalanche will play two games against the Ottawa Senators in Stockholm as part of the SAP NHL Global Series.
UP NEXT
Avalanche: Face Ottawa on Friday night in Stockholm.
Islanders: Host Edmonton on Tuesday night.
Friday, November 3, 2017
Eller scores twice, adds assist as Caps beat Isles 4-3
By STEPHEN WHYNO
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lars Eller looked determined not to let the Washington Capitals lose another game at home, so he took things into his own hands.
Eller scored two goals, including the winner late in the third period, and added an assist to help the Capitals beat the New York Islanders 4-3 on Thursday night. Though Washington was largely outplayed and outshot, the Danish center was arguably the best player on the ice, drawing two penalties and committing one as part of an eventful outing.
“Sometimes you have some games where most things are just going right for you,” Eller said after the Capitals improved to 2-3 at home. “And I think tonight was one of those games for our line and I think we even could’ve had a couple more.”
The Islanders could’ve had more goals, too, were it not for Vezina Trophy finalist Braden Holtby, who made 15 of his 35 saves in the third period. New York outshot Washington 38-19 and then 16-2 in the third period.
Holtby said the Capitals should feel “lucky” to win a game they would lose more often than not if repeated. The Islanders felt as if they deserved better.
“Should’ve had it,” coach Doug Weight said. “It would be nice to have it. It felt like we earned it. We battled. We gave up two shots in the third. It’s disappointing.”
Islanders captain John Tavares scored his 12th goal of the season, one behind Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov for the NHL lead, and Anders Lee had two goals. New York’s power play went 2 for 4 and has scored on seven of its past 14 opportunities after starting the season 2 for 33.
“You go through swings like this throughout the course of the year,” Islanders winger Josh Bailey said. “Early on, things weren’t going that well and we were able to tweak some things. And when you get hot you just want to ride it as long as you can.”
Eller was hot Thursday night from his first shift. He raced down the ice on a backcheck and sent the puck up ice to set up Taylor Chorney’s goal, just the fourth time the Capitals scored first in 13 games.
Starting strong was a point of emphasis in recent days, and Chorney’s first goal since Jan. 1 set a more positive tone.
“I feel like we’ve been chasing the game lately,” said Alex Chiasson, who scored his first goal with the Capitals to make it 3-2 in the second. “It’s nice to get on the board early. I think it allows the coach to roll four lines a little more and get everyone into their game.”
Eller scored his second goal of the season late in the first period and then came up huge with the game winner, beating Jaroslav Halak on a slap shot off the rush with 3:21 left to put the Capitals ahead for good. Eller went to Montreal and Halak to St. Louis when they were traded for each other in 2010.
“He was flying all over the ice, both sides of the puck,” Chorney said about Eller. “When Lars is moving his feet like that, he’s such a strong guy. He’s tough to contain. You could tell he was playing with a lot of confidence tonight, and he got rewarded for it.”
Eller only had the chance to put Washington ahead because Holtby withstood an Islanders onslaught in the third. He made two big saves on a late penalty kill and was up to the task when the ice was tilted in his direction.
“He just didn’t look fazed at all,” defenseman John Carlson said. “Every big save he had to come up with, he did for us throughout the whole game.”
NOTES: Halak finished with 15 saves. ... Islanders D Adam Pelech didn’t make the trip and is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
UP NEXT
Islanders: Return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night.
Capitals: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lars Eller looked determined not to let the Washington Capitals lose another game at home, so he took things into his own hands.
Eller scored two goals, including the winner late in the third period, and added an assist to help the Capitals beat the New York Islanders 4-3 on Thursday night. Though Washington was largely outplayed and outshot, the Danish center was arguably the best player on the ice, drawing two penalties and committing one as part of an eventful outing.
“Sometimes you have some games where most things are just going right for you,” Eller said after the Capitals improved to 2-3 at home. “And I think tonight was one of those games for our line and I think we even could’ve had a couple more.”
The Islanders could’ve had more goals, too, were it not for Vezina Trophy finalist Braden Holtby, who made 15 of his 35 saves in the third period. New York outshot Washington 38-19 and then 16-2 in the third period.
Holtby said the Capitals should feel “lucky” to win a game they would lose more often than not if repeated. The Islanders felt as if they deserved better.
“Should’ve had it,” coach Doug Weight said. “It would be nice to have it. It felt like we earned it. We battled. We gave up two shots in the third. It’s disappointing.”
Islanders captain John Tavares scored his 12th goal of the season, one behind Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov for the NHL lead, and Anders Lee had two goals. New York’s power play went 2 for 4 and has scored on seven of its past 14 opportunities after starting the season 2 for 33.
“You go through swings like this throughout the course of the year,” Islanders winger Josh Bailey said. “Early on, things weren’t going that well and we were able to tweak some things. And when you get hot you just want to ride it as long as you can.”
Eller was hot Thursday night from his first shift. He raced down the ice on a backcheck and sent the puck up ice to set up Taylor Chorney’s goal, just the fourth time the Capitals scored first in 13 games.
Starting strong was a point of emphasis in recent days, and Chorney’s first goal since Jan. 1 set a more positive tone.
“I feel like we’ve been chasing the game lately,” said Alex Chiasson, who scored his first goal with the Capitals to make it 3-2 in the second. “It’s nice to get on the board early. I think it allows the coach to roll four lines a little more and get everyone into their game.”
Eller scored his second goal of the season late in the first period and then came up huge with the game winner, beating Jaroslav Halak on a slap shot off the rush with 3:21 left to put the Capitals ahead for good. Eller went to Montreal and Halak to St. Louis when they were traded for each other in 2010.
“He was flying all over the ice, both sides of the puck,” Chorney said about Eller. “When Lars is moving his feet like that, he’s such a strong guy. He’s tough to contain. You could tell he was playing with a lot of confidence tonight, and he got rewarded for it.”
Eller only had the chance to put Washington ahead because Holtby withstood an Islanders onslaught in the third. He made two big saves on a late penalty kill and was up to the task when the ice was tilted in his direction.
“He just didn’t look fazed at all,” defenseman John Carlson said. “Every big save he had to come up with, he did for us throughout the whole game.”
NOTES: Halak finished with 15 saves. ... Islanders D Adam Pelech didn’t make the trip and is day-to-day with an undisclosed injury.
UP NEXT
Islanders: Return home to face the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday night.
Capitals: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday night.
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