Islanders Survive Bad Breaks, Defeat Ducks, 4-3

Elmont, NY — After blowing a two-goal lead late in the second period, the New York Islanders, led by Simon Holmstrom and Mat Barzal, clawed back to defeat the Anaheim Ducks, 4-3 at UBS Arena on Wednesday night.

Despite a dominant first period in which the Ducks recorded only two shots on goal, the Islanders were unable to capitalize on their own 13 shots. The Isles recorded 13 shots once again in the second, though the Ducks were able to fight back a bit and send nine shots Semyon Varlamov’s way. This time, though, both teams managed to make some offensive breakthroughs.

The Islanders potted each of the game’s first two goals, with former Ducks winger Kyle Palmieri opening the scoring just 40 seconds into the second period. From behind the net, Brock Nelson fed Palmieri at the right circle, and Palmieri’s one-timer somehow, some way, sneaked by Ducks goaltender John Gibson and into the net.

Six minutes later, Casey Cizikas doubled New York’s lead on a brilliant passing play with Cal Clutterbuck. After receiving a breakout pass from Noah Dobson, Cizikas gained the zone and sent a cross-ice pass to Clutterbuck. Clutterbuck did just as well sending the puck back to Cizikas, and the longtime Islander buried the return pass for a beautiful goal.

Unfortunately for the Islanders, their 2-0 lead would quickly vanish, thanks to some seriously bad luck. Troy Terry scored a power play goal for the Ducks after his pass attempt hit Robert Bortuzzo‘s foot and past Varlamov. Then, defenseman Urho Vaakanainen shattered his stick on a one-timer attempt with Varlamov square to his angle, but the puck squirted out to an unmarked Adam Henrique who proceeded to deposit the puck into the empty net.

Adam Henrique cleans up the rebound in front, evening the score at 2 for Anaheim!#FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/gE2ZNDoh4T

— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 14, 2023

Simon Holmstrom had an opportunity early in the third period to restore the Islanders’ lead, but over-skated the pass and fired his shot off the side of the cage. Had Holmstrom stayed put and stopped skating, it would’ve been a tap-in for a 3-2 Islanders lead. Instead, the Ducks took a 3-2 lead moments later, after Sam Carrick’s shot changed direction off Sam Bolduc’s stick and past Varlamov.

With the game starting to slip away, the Islanders managed to turn the tables after Cam Fowler’s tripping penalty. Noah Dobson gloved down a clearing attempt along the right wall, quickly swinging the puck to Mat Barzal at the left circle and averting potential disaster. Barzal then executed a quick one-two with Bo Horvat before blasting the puck past Gibson, tying the game at 3-3.

With 1:45 remaining, Bortuzzo was called for a strange tripping penalty before the Ducks immediately took one of their own. During the delayed penalty, Holmstrom hustled down the ice, to beat Leo Carlsson 1-on-1 and ripped a shot bar down on Gibson. Because the goal came on the delayed penalty, the Ducks pulled Gibson for a 6-on-4 opportunity.

Varlamov and Co. managed to stand strong in the dying seconds, securing the 4-3 victory for the Islanders.

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