Rapid Reaction: Islanders Edge Ducks 4-3 for Third Straight W

Elmont–The New York Islanders won their third straight contest as they defeated the Anaheim Ducks by a score of 4-3 on Sunday night. The Islanders move to 24-24-8 on the season, 14-12-4 at UBS Arena.

LINES:

Lee–Nelson–Beavuillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise–Barzal–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Greene–Mayfield

Sorokin

HOW IT HAPPENED

Zach Parise gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead as he buried the loose puck following a Mathew Barzal between-the-legs shot at 2:18 of the first period.

The Anaheim Ducks tied the contest at one as John Manson banged home a rebound for his fourth of the season following a shot from Buddy Robinson in the low slot at 9:48 of the first period.

Kyle Palmieri scored his eighth of the season to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead with under 30 seconds to go in the first period as he sniped Anaheim Ducks nemtinderJohn Gibson. Josh Bailey and Jean-Gabriel Pageau were credited with the assists at 19:31 of the first period.

With four seconds remaining in the first period, Anders Lee deflected a Ryan Pulock point shot for his 21st of the season. Pulock and Anthony Beauvillier were credited with the assists at 19:56 of the first period.

Isac Lundestrom deflected a Hamphus Lindholm point shot over the blocker of Ilya Sorokin at 14:23 of the second period. His 14th of the season was assisted by Lindholm and Jamie Drysdale.

The Islanders reclaimed a two-goal lead, 4-2, as Kyle Palmieri netted his second of the season. Scott Mayfield found Palmieri alone in the slot, as he refiled the puck blocker side for his ninth of the season at 17:25 of the second period. Mayfield and Bailey with the assists.

Adam Henrique cut the score to 4-3 as he jumped on a rebound for his 14th of the season. Troy Terry and Trevor Zegras were credited with the assists at 18:16 of the third period.

Palmieri Haunts Former Team

New York Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks back in 2009 and played five seasons with the club. He registered 43 goals and 46 assists in 198 games.

Against his former team on Sunday night, Palmieri scored two goals.

His first, a short-side snipe on Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead in the first period.

🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 🌴 pic.twitter.com/bHtpufwTJm

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 14, 2022

His second gave the Islanders a two-goal lead yet again as he deposited the puck in the left corner of the net in the second.

#24 with the play that setups up Palmieri for his second goal tonight! pic.twitter.com/YB3Tf0JIEc

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 14, 2022

Palmieri would have had a hat trick if it was not for the paddle of Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson.

John Gibson is reaching the stick out for this save. 🏒 pic.twitter.com/KI6XVk15mP

— NHL (@NHL) March 14, 2022

Kyle Palmieri ended his night with two goals, five shots, and a hit in 12:36 TOI.

Sorokin Shows Off Reflexes

On Sunday, Ilya Sorokin was not his sharpest regarding his rebound control but his reflexes made up for it the entire night. There were a handful of times where he stoned the Anaheim Duck shooters as he picked up his 20th win of the season.

His best save came on Cam Fowler, as after a deflected shot, Sorokin stretched out his blocker and robbed the Ducks defenseman.

SoroKING makes the adjustment after the deflection and another spectacular save 🤯 pic.twitter.com/16pdnuFGx8

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) March 14, 2022

Sorokin made 39 saves on the night, one while the Islanders were shorthanded. He denied 12 of 15 high-danger chance he faced.

“Oviously it all starts with with Sorokin,” Kyle Palmieri said. “He played a great game. He always given us a chance and it’s been nice to give him some support on the other end.”

Barzal and Wahlstrom Together

For the first time ever, New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz put Mathew Barzal and Oliver Wahlstrom on the same line. It had been a duo fans have been asking for, for quite some time as Wahlstrom’s shoot-first mentality would be beneficial.

But Wahlstrom, still a youngster, was not given the opportunity as Trotz wanted to see more consistency in his game.

In their first game as linemates, the line of Zach Parise, Mathew Barzal and Oliver Wahlstrom scored a goal (Parise), outshot their opponents 6-3, and created three high danger chances.

Wahlstrom only played 6:46 minutes, while Barzal played 11:11 but Trotz spoke about that following the game.

“I wouldn’t look at that (Wahlstrom’s minutes). I’m going to look at their five on five. I mean, there’s a couple times where there’s a little more four and four and then special teams kick in…,” Trotz said. “If you ask me how did he play in this five on five minutes, I was happy with Wally’s game.”

Point Streaks Continued

Entering the game, there were many Islanders on point streaks and a few were extended. Josh Bailey recorded two assists to push his point streak to a modest three games, with three goals and three assists over that span.

Anders Lee scored yet again, to push his goal streak to four games, with seven goals and an assist.

And last but not least, the Islanders pushed their win streak to three games as they have outscored their opponents 15-4 over that span.

GAME NOTES

Oliver Wahlstrom, for the first time in his young NHL career, skating alongside Mathew Barzal.

Matt Martin, Kieffer Bellows, and Sebastian Aho served as the healthy scratches.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders are in Washington D.C. Tuessday to take on the Capitals at 7:00 PM ET at Capital One Arena.