Rapid Reaction: Islanders Stifle Senators, Win 4-1 in Pulock’s Return

ELMONT— The New York Islanders defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1 in their second to last game before the All-Star break.  The Islanders are now 16-16-6, with a 9-9-3 record at UBS Arena.

How it Happened

Oliver Wahlstrom scored the eventual game-winner at 8:42 of the second period as he scored on the rebound following his deflection of a Zdeno Chara point shot. Chara and Dobson were credited with the assist on Wahlstrom’s 10th of the season.

Nick Holden gave the Ottawa Senators an early 1-0 lead as his wrist shot from the low slot hit off New York Islanders netmidner Ilya Sorokin’s shoulder and rolled behind him under two minutes into the game. Tyler Ennis and Brady Tkachuk were credited with the assists on Holden’s second of the season.

The Islanders tied the contest at one on the power play, as Anthony Beauvillier jumped on a loose rebound and beat Ottawa Senators netminder Anton Forsberg through the legs with 1:56 to go in the first period. Beauvillier’s seventh of the season was assisted by Zach Parise and Brock Nelson.

Mathew Barzal gave the Islanders a 3-1 lead as he finished off a one-time pass from Scott Mayfield with just over four minutes to play in the second period. Mayfield was credited with the lone assist on Barzal’s 10th of the season.

Adam Pelech made it a 4-1 lead as he beat Forsberg in tight on the backhand at 7:44 of the third for his second of the season. Mayfield was credited with the assist on Pelech’s second of the season.

Wahlstrom and Barzal Enter 10-Goal Club

In the win over the Ottawa Senators, a pair of New York Islander forwards scored their 10th goals of the season. Oliver Wahlstrom accomplished the feat to give the Islanders a 2-1 lead in the second, which served as the game-winner.

Wahlstrom in front. Boom. 2-1. pic.twitter.com/hy7KTsGCsj

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

Mat Barzal gave the Islanders the two-goal cushion later on in the period.

ONE-TIMER ALERT

ONE-TIMER ALERT

ONE-TIMER ALERT pic.twitter.com/mb8ln9ISw8

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

Oliver Wahlstrom hit the 10-goal mark in back-to-back seasons, as he had 12 goals in 44 games back in 2020-21 in his first season as a regular. Mat Barzal has hit that mark now for a fifth-straight season. Barzal has accomplished that feat in every season of his NHL career, not including the two games he played in 2016-17.

Sorokin Shuts Down Senators

After allowing the second shot he faced to enter the back of his net, New York Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin came up large time and time again to allow the Islanders not only to keep the Islanders within striking distance, not only to keep the game tied at one after the first period, but gave the Islanders the ability to take the lead.

His sprawling save to deny Ottawa’s Alex Formenton to deny a breakaway chance at 7:35 of the second period was his biggest save of the night and a save the Islanders needed against the 29th ranked team in the NHL.

Sorokin denied the last 25 shots he faced, as he stopped 26 of 27 in the win.

That was the second consecutive game and third time in the last four contests that the Islanders have allowed the opening goal less than four minutes into the first period.

Postgame Quotes: Anthony Beauvillier, Mathew Barzal, Scott Mayfield, Barry Trotz

“We haven’t really had the best starts the past couple of games but I mean Sorokin was good all game. He kept us in the game, big saves in key moments too. He gave us a chance to win again tonight.” —Anthony Beauvillier

“I thought he (Pulock) jumped in and looked real solid all game. He let a couple of shots go. You can just tell, his shots is always a threat wherever he is on the ice and I thought he was just heavy in the corners and he looked like he did not miss a beat.” —Mat Barzal

“It’s huge. You know, I think that was our first time with a full lineup that we started the year with. So having him back in as a top d-man, it’s big for us and I think he played really well after some time off.” —Scott Mayfield

“It was a little different seeing the lineup that we thought we’d have to start the year. It’s been a process for us. This year, it’s been just a very difficult year, in a lot of ways, but it was good. It was good to see Ryan back in there. And then you know, I thought it was pretty easy night for our D for the most part.” —Barry Trotz

Game Notes: 

Prior to Thursday’s contest, the New York Islanders activated defenseman Ryan Pulock (LTIR) as he skated in his first game since Nov. 15.

Rookie defenseman Robin Salo is no longer on the Islanders’ NHL roster

Despite not being on the ice for optional morning skate, Kyle Palmieri dressed and played Thursday.

Casey Cizikas was back in the lineup after missing Sunday’s contest due to non-COVID sickness.