Mathew Barzal set a rookie record with 5 assists Sunday evening as the New York Islanders cruised to a 6-4 win over the Colorado Avalanche.
- New York Islanders 6 (8-5-1, 17 points)
- Colorado Avalanche 4 (8-6-0, 16 points)
- NYI Goals: Scott Mayfield (2), Jordan Eberle 2 (4), Nick Leddy 2 PPG (3), Johnny Boychuk (1)
- COL Goals: Nathan MacKinnon (4), Gabriel Landeskog (5), Alexander Kerfoot 2 (5)
- Final, NHL, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
The New York Islanders pummeled the Colorado Avalanche on an eventful night that featured six goals, a new rookie record, and the blockbuster trade of star center Matt Duchene.
Recap
Scott Mayfield started the scoring for the Islanders under five minutes in, slapping a puck that found its way behind Jonathan Bernier and the Islanders never looked back from there.
A congratulations is due for Mayfield, who went on to record his first-career Gordie Howe hat trick.
Scott Mayfield’s Fortunate Bounce Puts New York Islanders Up Early
A little over 12 minutes into the first, Eberle contributed with his first of two tallies in the game…
Barzy and Ebs connecting on this beauty. #Isles lead 2-0! pic.twitter.com/bz9ALNlAtS
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 5, 2017
Then, Nick Leddy scored two back-to-back powerplay goals for the New York Islanders to keep the powerplay white-hot, cashing in for 9 of its last 16 opportunities.
The @NYIslanders are putting the pedal to the floor tonight on offense.
Highlights: https://t.co/VD2ToWldD4 #COLvsNYI pic.twitter.com/pCpdPi9dYr
— NHL (@NHL) November 6, 2017
Mathew Barzal was all over the scoresheet tonight for the Islanders, dishing this feed out to Eberle for his second of the night.
?? plays from @Barzal_97 tonight.
5⃣ assists for Barzy! #Isles pic.twitter.com/sH48H0VcAe
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 6, 2017
Johnny Boychuk picked up a goal as well, and Alex Kerfoot would pick up two late goals thanks to a very tuned-out Islanders defense.
Notes
It wasn’t the prettiest win, or the most polished, but the Islanders managed another massive win at home the Islanders are one of three teams who have yet to lose at home in regulation. Oh, and the Islanders are now 25-4-4 against the Western Conference at home since moving to the Barclays Center.
During the first period of the game, Blake Comeau took a puck to the face after attempting to block a Nick Leddy shot. Unbeknownst at the time, Matt Duchene followed him to the locker room, receiving the news that he had been traded to Ottawa.
This is nuts. As Blake Comeau helped off the ice, Matt Duchene sneaks off behind him as he's been traded mid-game pic.twitter.com/cimyiRl2Vz
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) November 5, 2017
With five assists on the night, Mathew Barzal set a New York Islanders franchise rookie record. In the wake of the trade that sent Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators, the largest beneficiaries in this deal were the New York Islanders and Mat Barzal.
The Islanders’ defense had the biggest night overall, with three different defenseman potting goals and totaling 8 points for the Blue and Orange including Mayfield, Leddy, and Boychuk.
Rob Taub put it best with this compilation:
-5P night for Barzal
-3P night for Eberle
-2P night for Bailey
-Mayfield Gordie Howe HT
-25-4-4 vs West at Home
-Greiss good#Isles win— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) November 6, 2017
