New York Islanders Top 5 Weekly Highlights: Mathew Barzal Clutch Goal

5 of 6

UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 02: Michael Dal Colle #28 of the New York Islanders (c) scores the game winning goal at 17:37 of the third period against the Los Angeles Kings at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on February 02, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. The Islanders defeated the Kings 4-2. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Michael Dal Colle Second Career NHL Goal

Michael Dal Colle has been with the New York Islanders for some time now. Before Saturday’s game against the Los Angeles King’s Dal Colle had played in 14 games and scored two points.

It not a great offensive return from a player that was selected fifth overall in 2014. Four years out from his draft year the Islanders certainly hopped at the time he’d be making waves at the NHL level by now.

To be fair to Dal Colle it’s not as if he’s playing poorly. Sure, the offense isn’t there right now, but defensively he’s doing exactly what Barry Trotz is asking him to do. The offense would come at some point.

Saturday against the Kings, Dal Colle scored his second NHL goal and third point of the season.

You’d be forgiven if you mistook him for Anders Lee. Dal Colle’s second career goal was very much to the style of the Islanders captain. Get to the front of the net and redirect the shot from the point past the goalie.

Ryan Pulock’s shot from the blue line caught Dal Colle’s expertly laid stick at just the right angle to lose none of its speed but completely change its trajectory to fool Jonathan Quick as it went into the far side top corner (and proved to be the game winner).

Dal Colle needs to keep that up. With Andrew Ladd on the mends, he’s running out of time to convince the coaching staff to keep him on board.