New York Islanders Brock Nelson Gets Hat-Trick For Win (Highlights)

Four power play goals in a single power play brought the New York Islanders back into the game for Brock Nelson to seal the game in overtime and getting his hat-trick in the process.

The New York Islanders were their usual selves with a terrible first period going down 3-0 to the Detroit Red Wings. The game had the hallmarks of a Dougie blowout after playing the night before the Isles didn’t look present for the first frame.

In the second period, things got a bit better as the Islanders escaped with only a single goal deficit after Jordan Eberle picked up his 19th goal of the seasons. Things were looking good. And then all hell broke loose in the third period.

Chalk it up to whatever you want, but I like to think that the Islanders showed some life after the Boychuk fight with Justin Abdelkader. There’s nothing like seeing a guy fresh off of injury stand up for himself out there. He even received a nice ovation from the team and fans after serving his compulsory five minutes.

The Crazy Third

Again, then all hell broke loose in the third period. A total of eight goals were scored between the two teams. First, it was the Detroit Red Wings going up 5-2 and we all thought they were done and dusted. Until Bertuzzi reacted to some Cal Clutterbuck contact to give the team a five-minute major.

That gave the Islanders a five-minute major. And boy did the Islanders make the Red Wings pay for it. With a franchise record four power-play goals in a single period. Yeah. They scored four goals on the power play.

First, it was Brock Nelson with his second of the night (more on him later). Then it was Anders Lee with his 29th of the year to bring the score to 5-5 and still just under three minutes to play on the power play. The game was tied and the momentum fully with the Isles.

Then Josh Bailey added his 15th of the year to make the 6-5. The Islanders had battled back from 5-2 to take the lead in a single power play. It was the most ridiculous and improbable outcome but there we were ahead 6-5 with almost no time left to play.

Then the Islanders did the most Islanders thing possible and fell asleep at the wheel and the Red Wings made them pay, tieing the game with seconds remaining. 6-6. We should have seen it coming (some of you did). And it was overtime where Brock Nelson, thanks to Mathew Barzal made magic.

That was Nelson’s third goal of the night and Mathew Barzal’s fifth point of the night. Which was the third time he’s done so this season. Which is the first time in 100 years that a player has three five-point games in a season.

Next: Show Patience With Doug Weight

Dont’ gloss over the fact that it took seven goals for the New York Islanders to defeat the Detroit Red Wings in overtime and they were terrible in the first 20 minutes. It’s good to get the win, but there are still some systematic issues that need addressing. For now, sit down, take a breath and let it sink in.