New York Islanders
RAPID RECAP: Islanders Rock Hurricanes On Bailey’s Milestone Night, Win 6-2
RALEIGH, NC– After a dominant performance against the New York Rangers on Wednesday, the New York Islanders rocked the Carolina Hurricanes in Josh Bailey’s 1,000th NHL game, winning by a score of 6-2. The Islanders are now 4-4-0 on the young season and have picked up their first win on the road.
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SCORING
Oliver Wahlstrom scored his fourth goal of the season to give the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 16:29 of the first period as he finished off a 2-on-1 pass from Mathew Barzal. Scott Mayfield registered the secondary assist.
Martin Necas tied the score at 8:57 of the second period as he got in behind Adam Pelech and finished off a backdoor pass by Brady Skjei.
Matt Martin gave the New York Islanders a 2-1 lead as, after a heads-up play by Casey Cizikas, Martin roofed one on Andersen from the slot for his second of the season.
Brent Burns tied the contest at two as his point shot deflected off a few Islanders in front and past a screened Ilya Sorokin for his first of the season and first as a Hurricane. Jordan Martinook and Brett Pesce were credited with the assists at 15:35 of the second period.
Josh Bailey gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead in his 1,000th game as he made a beautiful move in the slot for his second of the season. Mat Barzal and Alexander Romanov were credited with the assists at 16:26 of the second period.
Brock Nelson scored his Oct. 1, his first of the season, to give the Islanders a 4-2 lead just under four minutes into the third period. Anthony Beauvillier found him towards the back post, and Nelson hesitated before roofing the puck past Andersen. Beauvillier and Anders Lee were credited with the assists.
Nelson scored his second of the contest at 11:06 of the third period to give the Islanders a 5-2 lead. Beauvillier sent a no-look pass his way, and he buried from a similar spot. Beauvillier and Ryan Pulock were credited with the assists.
Zach Parise scored a shorthanded empty-net goal at 18:06 of the third period to give the Islanders a 6-2 lead with under two minutes to play in the third.
JOSH BAILEY SKATES IN 1,000TH GAME, SCORES A BEAUTY
For New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey, Friday was a monumental day for him and his career. When the puck dropped in Carolina, Bailey had reached the 1,000-game milestone. He became just the third player in franchise history to play 1,000 games for the organization.
But Josh Bailey said before the game that it would be sweeter if the New York Islanders could get a win on a memorable night.
Well, in the second period, with the score knotted at two apiece, Bailey helped the cause as he scored his second of the season.
It was a remarkable display of skill, as Mathew Barzal found him cutting to the slot, and Bailey made a few moves before roofing the puck on the backhand on Hurricanes netminder Frederik Andersen.
A beauty. FROM BAILEY.
Some may call it… A BAILEY BEAUTY. pic.twitter.com/25Wypw5qWO
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 29, 2022
NEWEST DUO CONNECTS FOR FIRST GOAL
On Wednesday, New York Islanders head coach Lane Lambert skated young forward Oliver Wahlstrom with Mathew Barzal. Despite playing together a bit last season, this was the first opportunity for both to show Lambert that they belong together. They were solid alongside Josh Bailey in their first game of the season together but had plenty to work on.
Despite not being perfect in the second game against the Carolina Hurricanes, the duo connected for the contest’s first goal.
Oliver Wahlstrom may not be the fastest player on the ice, but he kept up with Barzal on a two-on-one and made himself a pass option as he neared the back post. And Barzal found him for an easy goal.
a 2 on 1 makes it 1-0. pic.twitter.com/CMTw2GDT8z
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 28, 2022
Although incredibly early, this is something we could see for years to come.
BROCK GETS FIRST TWO OF BROCTOBER
The 2021-22 goal leader for the New York Islanders, Brock Nelson, had not had a single goal through the first seven games of the season. He had racked up the assists with six, but he had failed to accumulate high-danger chance.
But in Friday’s 4-2 win, Brock Nelson scored his first of the season.
It was a beautiful pass from Anthony Beauvillier as he found Nelson towards the back post.
Beauvillier with the dish. Nelson with the finish. pic.twitter.com/LqqEMtuZY3
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 29, 2022
Brock Nelson wasn’t done as he scored his second of the contest, courtesy of Anthony Beauvillier again.
Nelson lights the lamp for the second time and we're up 5-2! pic.twitter.com/IEAfsk3rQF
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) October 29, 2022
Including Friday’s game, there were only two left in the month of October. Nelson was cutting it close, but he got it done.
QUOTES:
Josh Bailey: “Throughout the day, it was tough. I mean, there were countless texts from friends and former teammates and family…everyone. Just overwhelming with the support and all the kind words. I think I had a few teary-eyed moments this afternoon…”
Lane Lambert: “I mean, everybody’s just thrilled for Josh and his career, his successes, and what a better way to cap your 1,000th game than to do something like that. Just happy for him.”
Cal Clutterbuck: “When you live your life honestly, and you play the game honestly, and you stick with it for that long, those things kind of just seem to happen to you, and so it was really fun to be a part of that. I’m glad I was here for that.”
Jean-Gabriel Pageau: “I couldn’t be more happy for a teammate, for a friend. I think that’s the same feeling that everyone has right now.”
Up Next: The New York Islanders host the Colorado Avalanche Saturday, Oct. 29, at UBS Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET.