A focused and prepared New York Islanders team picked up their first win in shutting down a resilient Winnipeg squad.
- New York Islanders (1-1-0, 2 points)
- Winnipeg Jets (1-2-0, 2 points)
- Box Score, NHL, Final
- Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, NY
After dropping the home opener to the Washington Capitals 2-1, the Islanders responded with a rounded effort. Strong defensive structure and a noticeable improvement in the faceoff dot were the two primary weapons for a refreshed Islander team.
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The Islanders survived a tense first period with chances on both ends. The Jets came up with their best chances and Thomas Greiss was more than up to task for the evening as the game’s third star.
Josh Bailey started the scoring at the beginning of the second period with both his and the Isles’ first powerplay goal of the season.
Brock Nelson and Anders Lee also both scored their first goals of the season while Patrik Laine found his first for the Jets’ only tally.
Anthony Beauvillier had an assist on Bailey’s go-ahead goal and would score his own at the start of the third period to cap the evening.
Sure, a ton of #Isles got points in tonight's win but GREISS was NICE ? pic.twitter.com/bzeHUW9eHl
— Isles on MSG+ (@IslesMSGN) October 7, 2019
Barry Trotz coached his 1,068th NHL game, passing Al Arbour for third all-time in games coached. In retrospect, it’s fitting for him to have been aboard when he passed Arbour in career wins last season and now for all-time games coached.
Trotz is looking to continue to push the Islanders forward this season and if their practice over the last couple of days is any indication, they’re on their way to another successful year.
The Islanders responded to a shaky season opener with 50 percent efficiency in the faceoff dot and perfect special teams (2/2 on the penalty kill, 1/1 on the powerplay).
Most importantly for the offense, the bottom-six had a strong start and not many were better than Leo Komarov tonight. Uncle Leo moved with purpose and speed, getting on the scoresheet with an assist to Beau’s goal.
While short-handed, the Islanders generated arguably some of their best chances like Komarov’s close call on a breakaway.
Brossoit comes up with a big #NHLJets stop as Komarov breaks in alone while shorthanded. pic.twitter.com/oFgoPZ2Njm
— JetsNation (@NHLJetsNation) October 6, 2019
Tonight’s win secured the first two points of the season and helped build confidence in the season’s start. Continuing their strong start in the face-off dot and building off their strong special teams will be two things Trotz will likely emphasize.
The Isles conclude their three-game homestand against the Edmonton Oilers who house two of the most lethal scorers in the world.
Anthony Beauvillier had an assist on Bailey’s go-ahead goal and would score his own at the start of the third period to cap the evening.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET at Nassau Coliseum this Tuesday night.
