Key Points
Islanders defeat their opponents 5–2, backed by two first-period power-play goals from captain Anders Lee.
Momentum briefly swung after short-handed and 4-on-4 goals from the opposing team.
Simon Holmstrom and Ryan Pulock sealed the win with key third-period goals.
Goaltender David Rittich made a crucial save to prevent a short-handed equalizer.
Coach Joel Quenneville acknowledged the difficulty of recovering from an early 3–0 deficit.
Islanders Set the Tone Early With Explosive First Period
The Islanders delivered a commanding 5–2 victory, overcoming a mid-game push from their opponents to secure an important win. Captain Anders Lee led the charge, scoring twice on the power play in a dominant opening frame that set the tone for the night.
Lee’s first goal at 10:16 of the period came on a clean redirect of Tony DeAngelo’s point shot, giving the Islanders a 2–0 advantage. His second, with just 54 seconds left in the period, came after a loose puck deflected off him at the left post. Lee quickly lifted it over the goaltender to close the first with a strong 3–0 lead.
Opponents Rally, But Islanders Regain Control
A Brief Momentum Shift
Despite the Islanders’ early surge, the opposing team refused to fold. Goaltender David Rittich had already made a critical stop on a short-handed breakaway by Frank Vatrano, a save that prevented a potential swing in momentum.
Leo Carlsson finally broke through at 5:34 of the second period during a 4-on-4 sequence, winning an offensive-zone draw and firing a glove-side shot past Rittich.
The momentum grew early in the third when Troy Terry cut the deficit to 3–2 with a short-handed goal. After Ryan Poehling won a footrace for the puck, he fed Terry in the slot, and the forward slipped the puck through Rittich’s pads.
“We came out really strong. We could tell we had our legs tonight,” Terry said. “Things kind of escalated quickly in a short amount of time.”
Islanders Respond With Authority
Rather than allow the comeback to develop, the Islanders countered quickly. Simon Holmstrom restored the two-goal margin at 6:06, weaving around Olen Zellweger and beating Ville Husso with a smooth backhand finish.
Ryan Pulock later delivered the dagger at 14:46, firing a wrist shot from the right boards that deflected off Chris Kreider’s stick and into the net. The goal—his first of the season—pushed the score to 5–2 and sealed the game.
Quenneville Reflects on the Challenge of Playing From Behind
Coach Joel Quenneville noted the difficulty of falling behind early, particularly against a team with strong special teams.
“Tough coming back from 3–0 in this game,” he said. His club battled back within one, but the Islanders’ resilience and quick counterattack proved decisive.
What Happens Next?
The Islanders will look to carry this momentum into their next matchup, buoyed by improved power-play execution and strong leadership from Lee. Meanwhile, their opponents will regroup, focusing on limiting early deficits and capitalizing on special-teams opportunities.
