A career-night for Tom Kuhnhackl propelled a complete team effort for the New York Islanders, whose 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks broke a three-game losing streak.
- New York Islanders 5 (9-6-2, 20 points)
- Vancouver Canucks 2 (10-8-2, 22 points)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
#Isles WIN!!#YesYesYes ? pic.twitter.com/PUYMGM5JS8
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2018
Tom Kuhnhackl‘s first-career multi-goal game propelled the Islanders to a slump-busting, 5-2 win. Brendan Leipsic opened the scoring just 2:48 in, but Tom Kuhnhackl kick-started the Islanders with an Alex Ovechkin-like wrap around from in deep.
Gotta see this one to believe it.
Atta boy, @Tkuhn14! #Isles pic.twitter.com/VqbcIUgF5M
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2018
Josh Bailey added another goal just 45 seconds later and the Islanders didn’t look back from that point on. Brock Nelson’s step up on the defense dished Jordan Eberle his fifth goal of the season with just over five minutes left in the first period, and the Islanders were firmly in the driver’s seat.
Even after Jake Virtanen’s cut the Canuck’s deficit with a quick powerplay goal, the Islanders stuck to their game plan and clamped down defensively.
Kuhnhackl’s second goal of the game arrived in the first few minutes of the third period, while Cal Clutterbuck‘s well-deserved and long-awaited first goal of the season sealed the game in the dying minutes of the final frame.
Between Clutterbuck’s goal drought and the Islanders’ three-game losing streak, tonight was a strong statement win for the Islanders. Three different lines found their way to the scoresheet as the Islanders continue to prove the value of their depth.
Clutterbuck’s goal was his first in 52-straight games when he scored on Jan. 13 against the New York Rangers.
Most notably for the Isles tonight was not just their superb defensive play in holding a tired Canucks team to just 24 shots, but their work in the faceoff dots.
The Isles had a rare outing in the center circle winning 57 percent of their faceoffs, their best ratio in a game this season.
For as good as they have been, the Isles have struggled with their special teams. Clutterbuck’s powerplay tally was the Islanders first powerplay goal in their last 18 tries.
The Islanders hadn’t won any of last week’s three games after winning five in a row previously. Currently sitting tied for second in the Metropolitan division are both the Rangers and Islanders, who conveniently square off next on Thursday in Brooklyn.
Yes, it’s entirely too early to be discussing standings in November, but with the current state of New York sports, an extra storyline in a classic rivalry showdown is more than welcome.
Clutterbuck lights the lamp on the power play! #Isles lead 5-2! pic.twitter.com/B65efcHZLD
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2018
That's number 2⃣ for @Tkuhn14 tonight! #Isles lead 4-2! pic.twitter.com/G7t2UbrwkC
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2018
?
*speed burst*
*speed burst*
*speed burst*
*spin move*@Barzal_97 can fly. #Isles pic.twitter.com/ZXNyQ3Ziwb— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2018
That's point number 2⃣0⃣0⃣ for @Bnelson! @jeberle_7 puts the #Isles up 3-1! pic.twitter.com/qE3UuhCtSL
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) November 14, 2018
