New York Islanders
Islanders Swim Past Sharks 4-1, Jump Penguins For Top Wild-Card Spot
The New York Islanders shredded the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night 4-1, as they did their job out in California, taking two of their three games.
With the win, the Islanders hopped the Pittsburgh Penguins for the top wild-card spot with 80 points, a 36-27-8 record.
The Florida Panthers won Satuday night and now sit three points behind New York with two games in hand.
LINES:
Anders Lee-Bo Horvat-Simon Holmstrom
Pierre Engvall-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Zach-Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Hudson Fasching
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck
Adam Pelech-Scott Mayfield
Alexander Romanov-Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson
Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov
NOTES: Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho did not take another shift after leaving the ice with 2:40 to play in the first after he took a high hit by Lebanc.
Seems like a hit to the head. We will find out after the game if there's an update on his status. Likely no update. Should know more by the end of Monday's practice. #Isles https://t.co/CxBvl554wQ
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) March 19, 2023
RAPID RECAP:
It was a New York Islanders type of first period as despite getting three power-play chances, they failed to score, allowing the first goal of the game to Staten Island native Kevin Labanc 7:31 into the first.
However, the Islanders did get even before the end of the opening frame as Jean-Gabriel Pageau potted a shorthanded marker with under four minutes to play as he scored his second goal in four games since returning from injury.
Kyle Palmieri stayed hot, as he gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead after he deflected a Scott Mayfield point shot through the wickets of Kaapo Kahkonen for his 12th goal of the season and second in as many games.
Mayfield and Noah Dobson were credited with the assists.
Ryan Pulock gave the Islanders a 3-1 lead 5:24 into the second period as he rifled home his first power-play goal of the season and fourth of the year.
With the primary assist, Hudson Fasching now has a goal and an assist over his last two games, while Pierre Engvall has points in four straight, with three goals and two assists, as he earned the secondary helper.
Zach Parise extended the Islanders lead to 4-1 5:19 into the third period as he redirected an Alexander Romanov shot for his 18th of the season. Pageau notched his second point of the night with the secondary assist.
Netminder Ilya Sorokin was not at his best earlier in the week but was on his game Saturday as he stopped 29 of 30 shots for his 25th win of the season.
UP NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday with puck drop at 7:30 PM ET.