New York Islanders Josh Ho-Sang Scores to Help Secure Win (Highlights)
It was a third win in a row for the New York Islanders who are playing exactly how Barry Trotz wants them too.
After a 4-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche the New York Islanders came into the Arizona with no rest. The Coyotes aren’t a great team, but they’re still an NHL caliber team mistakes will cost you.
After a tough game against a great Colorado team coming into Arizona was going to prove difficult. But so far this season the Islanders have shown they can win even with little rest.
Scoring first would make the Islanders task much easier on the night. Unfortunately they’d make things hard on themselves as the Coyotes would get on the board first.
First Period
The New York Islanders started off the period strong and drove most of the play. But a harmless looking shot from Mario Kempe somehow beat Robin Lehner on the glove side.
But then. At the 17 minute mark of the first period. A goal we’ve been waiting for for some time finally happened. Josh Ho-Sang scored his first of the 2018-19 season. (Drama required)
As the puck bounces off a Coyotes defender it comes to Ho-Sang in the left corner on the goal line, and without hesitation he directs it on a wide open net.
That celebration was absolutely deserved. After the number of set backs this season, Josh Ho-Sang has earned his spot and this goal.
Second Period
It didn’t take long for the Isles to add to their tally. Within three minutes Brock Nelson would score his eleventh of the season for the 2-1 lead.
What a shot by Brock Nelson. That wrist shot is both powerful and accurate. It’s nice to see he’s using it in December.
Five minutes later Anthony Beauvillier would snipe one past Kuemper for the 3-1 lead after a nice no look feed from Josh Bailey.
After a single goal in 16 games, Beau now has 10 over the next 16. It’s a remarkable turnaround by the Isles former first-round pick.
The Islanders dominated the remainder of the period as the Coyotes barely made any impact in the Isles defensive zone. It was shaping up to be yet another great road game.
Third Period
With a two goal lead and twenty minutes to go the New York Islanders needed level heads to manage the game and kill it off.
While the Coyotes didn’t get another goal, the Islanders didn’t do a good job of managing the Coyotes. They were second to pucks, turning it over too often, and even taking a bad penalties.
The win and the accompanying two points was well deserved by the Islanders. They were well and above the better team on the night.
The Isles now have three wins in a row for the first time since November 24th. Next up, Vegas on Thursday.
Three Stars
1. Josh Ho-Sang: 1 Goal
Josh Ho-Sang has been getting better and better in his three games this season. His work was rewarded with a goal to start things off on the night. From there you saw that he was gaining faith from Barry Trotz.
He’s making it hard for the Islanders to send him back down now.
2. Ryan Pulock: 2 assists
Pulock now has four points in his last two games. Add his solid defensive play and he’s quickly becoming that top blue liner the Isles drafted.
3. Robin Lehner: 0.973SV%, 36 saves
He let in a week goal to start the game but Lehner quickly battled back to keep the Islanders in the game.