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Rapid Reaction: Bailey Scores 2, Barzal Returns as Islanders Down Jets 5-2

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Elmont–The New York Islanders, after a 6-0 stomping of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, defeated the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 5-2 on Friday. The Islanders move to 23-24-8 on the season, 13-12-4 at UBS Arena.



Lines:

Lee–Nelson–Beavuillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Bellows–Barzal–Parise

Martin–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Greene–Mayfield

Varlamov

HOW IT HAPPENED

Brock Nelson gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead as he scored on the power play at 6:38 of the first period. He finished off a cross-seam pass from Anthony Beauvillier, as he deposited the one-timer over the left shoulder of Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck. Anthony Beauvillier and Noah Dobson were credited with the assists on Nelson’s 23rd of the season.

Kyle Connor tied the contest at one, as he and Nikolaj Ehlers got on a 2 on 0. Ehlers fed Connors, who beat New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov glove side for his 36th of the season. Ehlers and Neal Pionk were credited with the assists on Connor’s goal at 16:58 of the first period.

The New York Islanders retook the lead early in the second period as Josh Bailey scored his fifth of the season as he cleaned up a rebound. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri were credited with the assists at 16:58 of the second period.

Anders Lee made it 3-1 Islanders as he too stuck with a rebound for his 20th of the season. Nelson and Beauvillier were credited with the assist at 1:49 of the second period.

The Winnipeg Jets cut the lead to 3-2 as the puck took a bounce off a Winnipeg Jet in the slot, before bouncing off Scott Mayfield and past Varlamov. Blake Wheeler was given credit for the goal twenty seconds into the third period. Dylan Demelo and Mark Scheifele were credited with the assists.

Josh Bailey scored his second of the contest at 7:14 of the third period to give the Islandes a 4-2 lead as he buried a rebound, yet again. Adam Pelech and Pageau with the assists on Bailey’s sixth of the season.

Cal Clutterbuck made it a 5-2 game as he scored an empty-net goal with 4:44 to go in the third period. Casey Cizikas was credited with the lone assist on Clutterbuck’s sixth of the season.

Barzal and Chara Return

After missing six straight games, forward Mathew Barzal and defenseman Zdeno Chara were both back in the lineup Friday night.

Mathew Barzal looked like vintage Barzal, as he created chances for his teammates and drew two penalties. He skated alongside Zach Parise and Kieffer Bellows on the third line and recorded two shots and a giveaway in 17:44.

Zdeno Chara skated alongside Noah Dobson and ended his night with two shots in 16:02 TOI.

Nelson Pushes Goal Streak to Four

New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson has been the most consistent goal scorer for his team this season. With his power-play goal in the first period, Nelson extended his goal streak to four games.

With that goal, the Islanders have now scored a power-play goal in each of the last four games.

Anders Lee Builds on Latest Performances

After a two-goal performance on Monday night and a hat trick on Thursday night, Anders Lee was back at it again on Friday.

45 seconds after Josh Bailey gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead, Lee stayed with a rebound as he flipped the puck over the pad of Hellebuyck and in for his 20th goal of the season.

Bailey With Goals in Two Straight

We all know the Josh Bailey song, the song that echoes through the crowd at least once a game, and especially when he scores a goal. This season the goal total has been pretty low and overall it has been a down year for the 32-year old forward.

But after snapping an 18-game stretch without a goal on Thursday, Josh Bailey found the back of the net yet twice on Friday.

Josh Bailey now has two goals and an assist in his last two games.

Varlamov Puts Together a Strong Performance

After stopping 44 of 49 in Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, Semyon Varlamov played very well yet again on Friday night. He allowed two goals on 29 shots, two goals he had no chance on and came up large throughout the night.

His best save came on Mark Scheifele late in the third while it was a 4-2 game as he stretched out the right pad to deny a prime scoring chance.

GAME NOTES

Mathew Barzal and Zdeno Chara were back in the lineup after missing the last six contests. Oliver Wahlstrom, Sebastian Aho, and Ross Johnston were healthy scratches.

New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz recorded his 900th career NHL win.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday at 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena.

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