Nelson Line Sparks Islanders to 2-0 Win Over Detroit, Snap 6-Game Skid

ELMONT, NY–  The New York Islanders put forth a strong effort against the Detroit Red Wings and got rewarded as they snapped their six-game skid with a 2-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Ilya Sorokin had a 23-save shutout, for his fourth of the season and 14th of his career.

The Islanders are now 24-22-5 and sit four points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild-card spot.

LINES

Anthony Beauvillier-Mathew Barzal-Casey Cizikas
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Zach Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Simon Holmstrom
Matt Martin-Aatu Räty-Josh Bailey

Alex Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Sam Bolduc-Sebasitan Aho

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

SCORING

Anders Lee gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 4:44 of the second period as, from the ice, he redirected a Brock Nelson pass, which slightly tipped off Kyle Palmieri on its way toward him for his 18th of the season.

Brock Nelson gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead at 4:31 of the third period as his seeing-eye shot from inside the Red Wings blue line beat a screened Mangus Hellberg for his 19th goal of the season.

Lee Goal Sparks Islanders

After one period of play, the New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings played a rather lackluster opening frame, with chances but no goals.

Things changed 4:44 into the second, as Anders Lee tapped home a strong Brock Nelson feed. Palmieri notched his second assist of the night.

SCORED WHILE LAYING ON THE ICE. pic.twitter.com/IRMyiAu47k

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 28, 2023

Lee now has three goals in his last two games.

With that goal, the Islanders kept the momentum going for most of the second period and the third en route to a

Nelson Stays Hot

Brock Nelson entered Friday night’s contest with points in four straight games, three goals, and an assist, as he was a player the Islanders needed to get going. Prior to that, Nelson had gone 14 games without a goal.

He stayed hot against the Red Wings as after the assist on Lee’s tally, Nelson potted one of his own.

2-0 courtesy of OUR ALL STAR. pic.twitter.com/ukghYHY1T9

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 28, 2023

Over his last five games, Nelson has four goals and two assists.

Bailey’s Ice Time Limited in 4th Line Role

For the first time this season, Josh Bailey started the game on the fourth line. And in his demotion game, he barely saw ice time at even strength.

In the first period, he played 3:08 minutes at even strength. In the second, he played 1:29, and in the third, he played 3:07 for a total of 7:44.

Simon Holmstrom, who played in the third-line right-winger role, played 10:45 at even strength, while Aatu Räty, who started as the fourth-line center and got shifts with Mathew Barzal starting at the end of the second, ended his night with just 8:13, at even strength.

Next Up: The New York Islanders will host the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday night with puck drop set for 7:30 PM ET.