New York Islanders

Caps Lock Off: Dobson Hits 50 Points, Islanders Down Capitals 5-1

Published

2 years ago

April 28, 2022

ELMONT–After defeating the Washington Capitals back on Tuesday, the New York Islanders put together one of their most impressive performances of the season as they defeated the Washington Capitals 5-1 in their second-to-last game of the regular season. The Islanders are now 20-15-5 on home ice, 37-34-10 on the season.

How it Happened

Brock Nelson scored his 37th of the season, a power-play goal gave the New York Islanders a 1-0 lead at 10:48 of the first period. Nelson finished off a one-time pass from Mathew Barzal, which he deposited high glove side on Washington Capitals netminder Vitek Vanecek. Barzal and Noah Dobson were credited with the assists.

Anders Lee’s 28th of the season gave the Islanders a 2-0 lead at 15:34 of the first period. His power-play goal came after he redirected a Barzal pass from the low slot. Barzal and Dobson were credited with the assists.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau gave the Islanders a 3-0 lead at 3:44 of the third period as he roofed one past Vanecek for his 17th of the season. The goal was unassisted.

Kyle Palmieri scored the Islanders third power-play goal of the game to take a 4-0 lead at 6:23 of the third period. Josh Baiely and Robin Salo were credited with the assists on Palmieri’s 15th of the season.

Josh Bailey scored his 13th goal of the season at 13:37 of the third period as he deked out Capitals Martin Fehervary before he did the same to Vanecek. Barzal was credited with the lone assist.

Axel Jonsson-Fjalby got the Capitals on the board with 42 seconds to play in the third period to spoil Semyon Varlamov’s shutout. His second of the season was assisted by Anthony Mantha and Martin Fehervary at 19:18 of the third period.

Dobson Reaches 50

For the first time in his young 22-year-old career, Noah Dobson reached the 50-point mark after a two-assist night.

He registered the secondary assist on both Brock Nelson’s power-play goal and Anders Lee’s power-play goal.

Here’s career point no. 50:

8️⃣➡️1️⃣3️⃣➡️2️⃣7️⃣🚨 pic.twitter.com/AIguQQU5lC

— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) April 28, 2022

He became the 19th defenseman in the NHL to reach 50 points this season, the first 50-point season for an Islanders defenseman since Mark Streit accomplished the feat back during the 2008-09 season.

Not only that, but Dobson joins an elite group of Islanders defensemen 22 and younger to reach 50 or more points joining Denis Potvin and Stefan Persson.

“I think the way we play and the way you know, like today, was a perfect game for Noah for me because he let the game come to him,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “He was good on both sides of the puck. And he still produced and there’s some games where he’s gotten points, but he’s forced the issue, and you know, he’s just trading chances. And today, he just he controlled the game by letting the game come to him.”

“And 50 points is a, I’m gonna say, valuable equity in today’s game because it’s so hard to the score to score as it is. You need that support and that secondary scoring and the “d” are a big part of that in today’s game.”

Palmieri Scores 200th Career Goal

Kyle Palmieri has been snake-bitten by disallowed goals this season. Unofficially, the number reached seven on Tuesday after he scored a gorgeous goal which was overturned due to Zach Parise’s “interference” on Ilya Samsonov.

But on Thursday night his tally in the third period would count, meaning he finally was able to reach his 200th career goal.

Palmieri in the slot! pic.twitter.com/sufsLxtzjF

— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 29, 2022

“A couple of guys on our bench were yelling for a review,” Kyle Palmieri said postgame. “It’s nice to see the puck drop and the goal count.”

Pelech Cut with Skate, But Returns

Early in the second period, New York Islandes defenseman Adam Pelech fell awkwardly to the ice after battling for a puck with Washington Capitals forward Connor Sheary. As he was falling to the ice, Salo tripped over him, stepping on his ankle.

Immediately the referee signaled to the Islanders’ bench to send trainers on, as he saw the play and knew what had happened. Pelech was quickly helped off the ice before two trainers brought him back to the Islanders dressing room.

Unexpectedly, Pelech returned later in the second period. A sigh of relief for Islander fans as it could have been bad.

“I mean, we’re worried about him for a sec there,” Josh Bailey said when Adam Pelech went down. “Anyone in that situation, especially with what he’s gone through. Good to see him come back.”

Wahlstrom Loses Cool

Early in the third period, Capitals forward Garnett Hathaway hit Islanders defenseman Sebastian Aho from behind, as he went viciously into the boards. Hathaway was given a boarding penalty.

Later in the period, while Hathaway was taking the puck up the ice, Oliver Wahlstrom slashed him on the hand and the as soon as he crossed the Islanders blue line, jumped him, leading to a scrum.

Oliver Wahlstrom just a wee bit angry tonight pic.twitter.com/sqo5FrxmIK

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 29, 2022

Wahlstrom was given two minutes for slashing, two minutes for roughing and a game misconduct.

“Absolutely yeah, I give him equity for sure. Your standing up for a teammate and that was a vicious hit,” head coach Barry Trotz said postgame. “And I’m very thankful Seabass (Sebastian Aho) isn’t severely hurt because there was no reason to do that.”