The Islanders ended up taking five of six points from their California trip with the final game against the playoff-positioned Anaheim Ducks being the smoothest cruise of the lot.
Mat Barzal’s much-awaited return featured an assist on the opening goal just 1:55 into the game — a Logan Stanley shot that took a double deflection — but the Islanders broke the game open in the second period after entering the middle frame with a 1-0 lead.
Simon Holmstrom scored two on his way to a hat trick, and Mitchell
Chaffee scored his second as an Islanders to make it 5-1 by the game’s midpoint. Cutter Gauthier got one back to add to his stunning start to the season before Holmstrom completed his hattie early in the third, set up by fellow “The Swedes Do Disneyland” participant Victor Eklund.
A few other notes:
- Stanley left the game half way after taking a shot, so a status update is likely on Monday.
- Semyon Varlamov stopped 26 shots for his first regulation win in a couple years.
- Barzal lined up at center, between Ondrej Palat and Anthony Duclair; J-G Pageau remained out with injury.
The Islanders now head back home and will host the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
Islanders News
- Takeaways: Lots of scoring balance beyond the Holmstrom hattie, and Matthew Schaefer breaks another franchise mark, becoming the youngest to have three assists in a period. [Isles]
- Helmet and oar awardees to Schaefer and Holmstrom. [Isles]
- Recaps: It was a top performance all around. [Post | Newsday | NHL]
- Barzal reflects on his long road back, dark times, and helpful visits from Mom. Promisingly, he thinks he and doctors have found an approach that will keep him from being in constant rehab mode like he was last season. Also: His decision to play in Anaheim “about 45 minutes” before morning skate essentially triggered Kyle MacLean hitting waivers. [Isles | Newsday | Post]
- Casey Cizikas reflects on what it took to reach 1,000 regular season games. [Newsday]
Elsewhere
- Sebastion “the other” Aho savors his Canes’ sweep of the Kraken on their Finland trip. [NHL]
- The Oilers are trending up on defense, boosted by Devon Levi’s return. [Sportsnet]
- Rick Bowness is stepping away, maybe temporarily, from the Blue Jackets for health reasons. [Athletic]
- The Penguins are finally facing their fate; what’s that mean for Sidney Crosby? [Sportsnet]
- Some Flyers fans have gone the billboard route to call for Rick Tocchet’s firing. [Yahoo]
- Can the Leafs save their season? [Athletic]
