#Isles win third straight game by grinding out defensive win over the Senators in Ottawa. ?
Game recap: https://t.co/z5EVJug4q9 pic.twitter.com/FzcKsSyTiv
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 26, 2017
Jaroslav Halak made 31 saves and snapped a personal three-game losing streak in the New York Islanders 2-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators.
- New York Islanders 2 (14-7-2, 30 points)
- Ottawa Senators 1 (8-8-6, 22 points)
- NYI Goals: Anders Lee (12, PPG), Jordan Eberle (9)
- OTT Goal: Matt Duchene (5)
- NHL Final, Box Score
For the New York Islanders — that win was just what the doctor ordered.
The narrative thus far into the season is that the Islanders are an offensive powerhouse with questionable overall defense.
Tonight’s gritty 2-1 win over the Ottawa Senators was a game of back-and-forth chances right to the end. Caps off to Jaroslav Halak, who made 31 saves in the winning effort and helped the Islanders finally win a game without allowing more than three goals.
Halak snaps a personal three-game losing streak in style, making 31 saves on 32 shots and earning him a much needed .969 save percentage on the night.
Game Breakdown
The story of the game was primarily the Islanders shut down defense — with a couple goals sprinkled in the later periods.
Josh Bailey haters are all but obliterated as the ace finds the stick of Anders Lee for his 12th goal of the season, and a 1-0 Islanders lead.
Primary Goal for Bailey! #isles pic.twitter.com/0cJKSRu31S
— YeSUV? (@IslesWhiteSUV) November 26, 2017
Heading into tonight’s contest the Islanders needed a huge win from Halak, and he delivered.
Halak save #Isles pic.twitter.com/ugMKTyYiux
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) November 26, 2017
Halak is at his best when he is as comfortable in his crease as he was tonight. Saves like the one above helped keep the Islanders one-goal led throughout the game. Defensive contributions throughout the lineup helped Halak keep the pucks out, like Johnny Boychuk‘s underrated play on the PK to help clear the puck.
Nifty defensive play by Boychuk on the last penalty kill #Isles pic.twitter.com/9HnkkJkFBM
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) November 26, 2017
Lastly, of course, Jordan Eberle’s backhand tally after Mathew Barzal took the tour of the Canadian Tire Center.
This is amazing.
Barzal "takes the tour" and @jeberle_7 scores to make it 2-0 #Isles pic.twitter.com/XaZli3CgUY
— IslesBlog (@IslesBlog) November 26, 2017
Everything the Islanders needed could be found in tonight’s win, and Halak can use this win to string together a case for himself as the Isles starter.
Barzal extended his point streak to six games with an assist tonight, he now has nine points through that span with tonight’s assist.
Tonight marked the first time since November 11 that the Islanders won a game without giving up more than two goals, a feat only accomplished one other time this season in the win against the Nashville Predators.
The Islanders won both games in a back-to-back scenario for the first time this season and are now riding a three-game winning streak. After tonight’s win, the Isles are just two points back from the Metropolitan division lead.
The Islanders now turn their attention to the Vancouver Canucks, when they visit on Tuesday at the Barclays Center.
