Mathew Barzal and the New York Islanders clamped down on the Winnipeg Jets for the season sweep and a win to start the season’s first road trip.
- New York Islanders (Mathew Barzal (2), Josh Bailey)
- Winnipeg Jets (Nikolaj Ehlers)
- Box Score, NHL, Final
- MTS Center, Winnipeg, MN
After overcoming a horrific first period, the Islanders successfully regrouped and held a frustrated Jets’ offense at bay. The Jets outshot the Islanders 16-5 in the first period and got off to a hot start with a first-period powerplay tally from Nikolaj Ehlers.
The Islanders managed no shots through the first half of the second period, burying themselves against a skilled offense.
Huge kudos to Semyon Varlamov, who stuck through the early Winnipeg onslaught who made 32 saves all in all.
Then, the Islanders were given a powerplay and Jim Hiller did exactly what he was hired to do and drew up a powerplay resulting in Mathew Barzal’s first goal of the game.
A hit, a little 13ARZY and SOG.
The kid can play #Isles pic.twitter.com/pVgKL1gb94
— ????? ??? (@IslesFix) October 18, 2019
Barzal’s play to start the season shows a player who’s starting to understand himself more and more.
This is the first time in his young career that he’s had the same coach to start two-straight seasons. That kind of comfort is starting to show.
Barzal finished the night with two goals and three shots on net, and even a couple dingers and a swollen lip he described as feeling like Kylie Jenner.
Boychuk starts it by knocking the puck down, 13ARZY does the rest.
The KID is ?#Isles I @NYIslanders pic.twitter.com/osnH5zq5lt
— ????? ??? (@IslesFix) October 18, 2019
Barzal takes a stick to the face. No call. pic.twitter.com/gDTEhE8e5h
— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) October 18, 2019
The Islanders kick off their first road trip of the season with their first road win. The resilience that seemed gone at 1-3-0 has willed the Islanders to three-straight wins.
Meanwhile, Oliver Wahlstrom continued to impress with his play. Although being credited with just a shot on goal, Wahlstrom’s presence in the top-six gives opponents another force to defend against, and a shoot-first mentality the Islanders have lacked for years.
With how he’s played, there should be no reason for him to see AHL ice.
What Lou Lamoriello decides to do once Jordan Eberle is ready to return will be interesting. Although not all the results have been there for him, Anthony Beauvillier has made his case to stay in the lineup.
It’s unfortunately hard to say the same for Michael Dal Colle.
Through the Isles’ first seven games (tonight included) Beau managed a pair of goals and 4 points to Dal Colle’s lone assist.
For as much fire as Dal Colle had in the preseason, it’s disappointing to not see his name on the scoresheet.
Next stop for the Isles on their road trip will be in Columbus this Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET on MSG+.
