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The New York Islanders picked up a key win over the New Jersey Devils yesterday, coming away with a 6-4 victory.
Cal Clutterbuck returned to the Islanders’ lineup and with Adam Pelech out, Robin Salo also suited up for New York.
Cal Clutterbuck returned to the Islanders’ lineup and with Adam Pelech out, Robin Salo also suited up for New York.
The Devils struck first only about five minutes into the first period, with Nico Hischier beating Semyon Varlamov on a power play, after some nice puck movement from New Jersey. The Islanders did go on to outshoot the Devils in the frame though and later on, Brock Nelson drove down the wing and managed to head behind the net with speed and beat Vitek Vanecek on a wraparound to tie the game. Nelson then almost scored his second of the game only minutes later, but was absolutely robbed by Vanecek with a glove save. New York did manage to take the lead before the end of the frame though, as Alexander Romanov found Anders Lee in the high slot, and Lee fired the puck through a screen to beat Vanecek with only nine seconds left in the frame.
The Islanders picked up where they left off in the second period, as Matt Martin managed to slide a puck over to Casey Cizikas on a rush, who scored under four minutes into the frame. New York wasn’t done there, and only 34 seconds later, Oliver Wahlstrom buried a rebound, making it a 4-1 game early in the period.
The Devils did get one back soon after, as Simon Holmstrom turned the puck over at the other line and New Jersey came down on a rush, with Jack Hughes finding Dawson Mercer, who beat Semyon Varlamov. New Jersey ended up taking quite a few penalties throughout the frame though and after putting 17 shots on goal in the period overall, the Islanders reinstated the three-goal lead late in the period, with Nelson burying a pass on a power play for his second goal of the game.
New York built upon their lead right away in the third period, as the Devils turned the puck over in a bad spot and Cal Clutterbuck capitalized, making it a 6-2 game. Tomas Tatar pulled it back to a three-goal game with a quick goal afterwards and the Devils ended up pulling the goalie very early later in the period, as Jack Hughes made it 6-4 with more than six minutes left. That’s as close as the Devils would come though, with New York holding on for the win.
It’s a really promising win for New York. Their momentum had been slowing down a bit heading into yesterday’s game and picking up a road win against one of the top teams in the league is huge.
That said, Anthony Beauvillier did leave the game in the first period, after going into the boards. On the other hand though, Cal Clutterbuck left but returned with a full cage to score his third period goal.
Brock Nelson had two goals but probably could’ve had about four. He was flying with the puck last night and continues his excellent season, on pace for over 40 goals and 80 points this year.
Also, Alexander Romanov played nearly 25 minutes in the win - and what a hit on Miles Wood in the second. Romanov has stepped into a large role and with his blend of physicality and defensive stability, he’s made a major impact with the Islanders through the first third of the season.
The Islanders will be right back in action today, as they face the Carolina Hurricanes in the second half of their back-to-back set.
OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Islanders’ four-game winning streak snapped in rematch against Flyers
Islanders fire 49 shots on goal but fall short against Predators
Islanders score three in second period, earn shutout win over Blackhawks
Islanders’ comeback falls short in 7-4 loss to Blues 
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