New York Islanders

Barzal Records 300th Point, Varlamov Shuts the Door, Islanders Beat Rangers

Published

2 years ago

April 1, 2022

NEW YORK, NY– The New York Islanders, in the second of the back-to-back, shut out the New York Rangers 3-0. The Islanders are now 30-27-9 on the season and now have tied Columbus in the standings.

ISLANDERS LINES

Lee–Nelson–Beavuillier

Bailey–Pageau–Palmieri

Parise–Barzal–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Johnston

Pelech–Pulock

Chara–Dobson

Aho-Hutton

Varlamov

How it Happened

Casey Cizikas gave the New York Islanders an early 1-0 as he tapped in a sneaky pass from Ryan Pulock for his ninth of the season. Pulock was credited with the assist at 2:40 of the opening frame.

Matt Martin gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead early in the second as he beat New York Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin blocker side from inside the right circle for his third of the season. Mathew Barzal and Ross Johnston were credited with the assists on Martin’s goal at 4:48 of the second period.

Mathew Barzal gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead 2:47 minutes into the third period as he beat Shesterkin with a strong backhand move on an odd-man rush. His 14th of the season was assisted by Oliver Wahlstrom.

Barzal Reaches 300 Points

It seems like nowadays, the New York Islanders are always hitting milestones.

Well, Mathew Barzal joined the Milestone Club as he notched a goal and an assist to reach 300 career points.

His assist gave the Islanders a two-goal cushion in the second period. And for his goal in the third period, Barzal undressed Igor Shesterkin on an odd-man rush for his 14th of the season.

3⃣0⃣0⃣ points for #⃣1⃣3⃣ pic.twitter.com/BqaAlZ4bEO

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 2, 2022

Mathew Barzal hits the 300-point mark in his 347th NHL game.

Martin’s Goal Drought Comes to an End

New York Islanders forward Matt Martin is not known for lighting the lamp. He had gone 23 games without a goal, but that came to an end on Friday night. When you play with Mat Barzal, just be ready and Martin was as he caught a pass coming into the slot and gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead.

MATT
A
R
T
I
N pic.twitter.com/SFZXb9tq4G

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 2, 2022

Back-To-Back Does Not Phase Varlamov

On Thursday, New York Islanders netminder Semyon Varlamov turned aside 30 of 32 shots that came his way in the 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. After the game, Varlamov told his head coach Barry Trotz that he was good enough to go Friday as well.

And on Friday against the talented New York Rangers, Varlamov shut them out for his second shutout of the season as he stopped all .

Varlamov combined to stop 57 of 59 shots over the last two days. Not only that, but his shutout on Friday was his fourth consecutive shutout at Madison Square Garden.

Penalty Kill Stays Killing

The New York Islanders penalty kill unit had been strong the entire season. Entering Friday’s contest, they had killed off six of their last six and nine of their last 10. Their opponent, the New York Rangers, entered the contest with the second-best power play in the NHL at 27.1 percent.

That did not stop the Islanders from making a few trips to the box. But the penalty kill came through.

The Islanders killed off all three penalties they took in the contest, allowing just two total power-play shots against.

Quick Start Yet Again

On Thursday, the New York Islanders scored first against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but it took eight minutes into the game before Sebastian Aho lit the lamp. On Friday, it took the Islanders just 2:40 into the contest to take the lead.

Ryan Pulock made a strong play to find Casey Cizikas for a tap-in.