Islanders Defeat Sharks 4-2; Thoughts & Takeaways from the Win

The New York Islanders (29-26-7) defeated the San Jose Sharks (17-39-9) 4-2 inside the SAP Center on Saturday night. Jean-Gabriel Pageau shined bright in his expanded role as the second-line center, registering three points, including a goal.

Pageau’s expanded role results from the Brock Nelson trade, which occurred roughly 48 hours before the puck dropped tonight. That trade dominated talking points entering this game, with the team and head coach Patrick Roy admitting the emotional toll it took on the roster.

That emotional hangover seemed to bleed into the game. The Islanders were missing in action for the first 10 minutes of the game. The Sharks outshot the Islanders 17-1 to open the game before Henry Thrun took a tripping penalty.

Anthony Duclair scored on the subsequent power play after an excellent passing play. Simon Holmstrom and Noah Dobson received the assists, but the team had a surgical effort on the man advantage.

From the moment of the power play onward, the Islanders outshot the Sharks 7-3 for the rest of the first period. After Dobson whizzed around the zone, creating multiple chances, he fed an open Pageau. With 39 seconds left in the first frame, Pageau fired a one-timer that cleanly beat Alexander Georgiev for a 2-0 lead. The goal itself served as a backbreaker for the Sharks.

San Jose’s Nikolai Kovalenko scored a second-period power-play goal on a double deflection off of his stick and Kyle Palmieri’s. The goal came against the run of play in the period but made it a one-goal game entering the third period.

The Islanders came out really strong in the third period. Just 1:13 into the period, Anders Lee made it 3-1 with a quick shot of a face-off play. That would end up being the game-winner. Holmstrom set that goal up, too. One Sharks penalty and an Adam Boqvist power play goal later, and it was 4-1 just 3:51 into the period. That was the game.

Will Smith added a super late power-play goal with just 1:27 left in the game.

Despite the late goal, Ilya Sorokin sparkled. He made 20 first-period saves as he had to shine to keep the Islanders in it before they could ultimately take over the game. In the dominant win, Sorokin made 38 saves. Georgiev denied 24 in the loss.

Thoughts:

• The power play looked good. Yes, it’s the Sharks, the worst team in the NHL, but even so. The man advantage has a goal in three of four games, and they struck twice tonight. Both units got involved after Adam Boqvist’s blast in their third period gave the Islanders a 4-1 lead.
• More of that from Noah Dobson, please. He looked every part of a #1 defenseman tonight, registering two assists and driving play. He’s thrived since being paired with Adam Pelech, and it’s the best possible news for the Islanders.
• Simon Holmstrom’s breakout continues. He recorded two primary assists, and his fingerprints are all over this game. He’s up to 14 goals, 20 assists, and 34 points in just 55 games. As a reminder, he opened up the season with just two points in 10 games. Since then, he’s recorded all 14 goals and the other 32 points in just 45 games. That’d be a 20-goal, 58-point pace over 82 games. Entering tonight, he’d been pointless in six of his last seven games, so he’d been due because his play had not dipped. The more his role expands, the better he’s going to be.
• Pageau thrived in his expanded role. He did a lot of the smaller things right, and three points marked his third three-point effort of the year. Again, it’s still the Sharks. They’re not the fiercest of opponents. But, if Pageau continues to perform, it gives the Islanders a chance to go on a run.
• Ilya Sorokin excelled. He’s continually worked hard to make his puck tracking better through screens. Yes, San Jose scored two power-play goals, and they came through crowded net fronts, but it’d be really harsh to drop the hammer on him for those.
• It could be tough sledding with Casey Cizikas at 3C. Cizikas still plays as hard as anyone and has his moments. But, his motor is slowing and the third line seemed the Islanders worst tonight. Cizikas also only won 33% of his face-offs tonight (3/9).
• The Islanders are three points outside of a playoff spot. Yes, they’re still 13th in the conference. However, they’ve played the least games in the conference and, by points percentage, are tied with the Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings for 10th. The Islanders also now have more regulation wins (23) than anybody in the wild card race other than the New York Rangers. The Ottawa Senators also have 23 and occupy WC1.