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New York Islanders

Islanders Blown Out by Blues 6-1, Tensions High

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New York Islanders

On Saturday night, the New York Islanders struggled mightily against the St. Louis Blues as they fell 6-1. 1. They are now 33-29-9 and trail the Washington Capitals by 13 points with 11 games to go.

Tensions were relatively high as even New York Islanders head coach Barry Trotz lost his cool following a missed penalty prior to the Blues’ fourth goal of the game. We get to that and more in Saturday night’s game recap:

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HOW IT HAPPENED

The St. Louis boards struck first as Nick Leddy scored against his former team at 14:21 of the first period. Robert Thomas and Vladimir Tarasenko were credited with the assists on Leddy’s third of the season.

Vladimir Tarasenko gave the Blues a 2-0 lead as he buried a rebound off a Clayton Parayko slap shot for his 26th of the season. Parayko and Thomas with the assists at 17:10 of the first period.

Just Faulk made it a 3-0 game as he beat Semyon Varlamov blocker side through a screen at 4:05 of the second period. Brandon Saad and David Perron assisted Faulk’s 12th of the season.

Just Faulk gave the Blues a 4-0 lead as he wacked the puck out of mid-air for his 12th of the season. Jordan Kyrou and Ivan Barbashev were credited with the assists at 5:41 of the second period.

Ivan Barvashev buries a loose puck to give the Blues a 5-0 lead at 16:57 of the second. Jordan Kyrou and Justin Faulk were credited with the assists.

Grant Hutton scored at 18:41 of the second period to get the New York Islanders on the board, 6-1. Brock Nelson was credited with the lone assist on Hutton’s first of his career.

Robert Thomas gave the Blues a 6-1 lead just 40 seconds later for his 18th of the season. Vladimir Tarasenko and Pavel Buchnevich assisted the goal at 19:20.

Trotz Loses Temper

The New York Islanders did not bring their “A” game against the St. Louis Blues. And after the New York Islanders allowed their fourth goal of the contest, head coach Barry Trotz allowed his temper to get the best of him.

Before the goal against, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was tripped, but there was no call on the play.

Let’s just say Trotz was not too happy about that.

Trotz grabbed a stick from the bench and started to bang it against the boards to get the official’s attention. Then he decided to throw it on the ice and was given a bench minor.

The Islanders did kill off the ensuing penalty off. Tensions remained high.

Hutton Hammers First Home

New York Islanders defenseman Grant Hutton had played 12 NHL games before Saturday’s contest against the St. Louis Blues. He had gone pointless but had played solid defense.

That changed when he scored his first NHL goal in game no. 14.

Penalty Kill Units Short Handed Themselves

New York Islanders fourth-line forward and top penalty killer Casey Cizikas served a one-game suspension on Saturday night after boarding and injuring Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brendan Smith Friday night.

The Islanders penalty kill unit came into Saturday’s contest having killed off 16 straight power-play chances against over their last six contests. And without Cizikas, the penalty kill came through again as they went four for four against the Blues power play for 20 straight kills.

On their four opportunities, the St. Louis Blues registered just eight shots as the Islanders penalty killers, and Semyon Varlamov were rock solid.

Leddy Scores Against Former Team

Current St. Louis Blues defenseman Nick Leddy played on Long Island for seven seasons. Leddy was dealt to the Detroit Red Wings for cap relief this past offseason. At the 2022 NHL Trade Deadline, the Red Wings sent Leddy and Luke Witkowski to St. Louis for 2023 second-round pick Oskar Sundqvist and Jake Wallman.

Entering the contest against the New York Islanders, Nick Leddy had points in four straight games (4A). He pushed that point streak to five games as he scored the opening tally Saturday night.

In 518 games as a member of the New York Islanders, Nick Leddy had 45 goals and 198 assists. In 67 postseason games with New York, Leddy had five goals and 18 assists.

NOTES

Casey Cizikas did not play as he was suspended one game by NHL Player Safety for boarding Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brendan Smith Friday night. Forward Andy Andreoff was recalled from Bridgeport (AHL) and played in his spot.

Alan Fuehring (Bridgeport) called his first game on MSG+ for the New York Islanders alongside NHL Network analyst E.J. Hradek.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday at 7 PM ET.

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