New York Islanders Earn Third Straight With 2-1 Win Over Minnesota Wild

With a 2-1 win over the Minnesota Wild, the New York Islanders now have three wins in a row and sit five points above the Washington Capitals at the top of the Metropolitan Division.

The New York Islanders were back in action just over 24 hours after a come from behind 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. Thankfully, the Islanders are 8-0-0 in back-to-back situations this season.

The Wild, just like the New York Islanders, are playing the second half of a back-to-back. In back-to-back situations the Minnesota Wild are 5-3-1.

The Islanders need to come out strong in the first period (something they haven’t been able to do recently) to keep the Wild out of it as soon as possible.

First Period

The New York Islanders came out to play. You couldn’t tell that they had played just 24 hours previously. The Islanders had a jump in their step, they were first to pucks, and getting shots towards the net.

By the 13 minute mark that pressure paid off when Valtteri FIlppula made a smart play at the Wild blue line to spring Anthony Beauvillier alone on Dubnyk. Beau made no mistake with a strong shot that went five-hole for his first goal in a long time.

Beauvillier hadn’t scored a goal since January 12th. That’s eleven games between goals for the Islanders former first-round pick. Nice to see Beauvillier back to scoring ways.

Second Period

The Anthony Beauvillier show continued in the second period. Through 40 minutes Beau already had a goal to his name and seven shots. Seven. By the end of the second the Minnesota Wild had 15 shots.

Between Beau taking a shift the Minnesota Wild would tie it up at one with a goal from Mikael Granlund on the power play 38 seconds into the second period.

But the New York Islanders would answer on a power play of their own. Some nice play between defensemen Ryan Pulock and Devon Toews gives the Islanders their second power play goal in as many days.

With the primary assist Ryan Pulock picked up his fourth point in three games and seventh in his last five games. Pulock is coming alive in the second half.

The goal was also the first time the New York Islanders have scored a power play goal in back-to-back games since the 17th of December. Maybe the power play is heating up too?

Third Period

With a lead, the New York Islanders couldn’t let up on the gas. They had to continue taking the game to the Minnesota Wild.

The Islanders did just that. They just never tired in the third period. That’s what happens when Barry Trotz rotates the lines equally. Everyone is fresh and everyone can give maximum effort. Getting the win by a score of 2-1.

With the win the New York Islanders moved five points above the Washington Capitals at the top of the Metropolitan Division. They just keep on winning and are now 9-0-0 in back-to-back games.

Fans of the Game

Before the game we ask fans to tell us who will score the New York Islanders first goal. And a few knew what was going to happen before it actually happened.

Three Stars of The Game

1. Anthony Beauvillier: 1 goal, 7 shots

He was THE Islanders best player on the afternoon. Beau was all over the ice for the Isles. There’s no doubt that playing with Filppula and Komarov brings out the best in him.

2. Thomas Greiss: 0.963SV%, 26 saves

You can easily argue that he was the New York Islanders first star. With 26 saves on 27 shots, Greiss kept the Islanders in the game.

3. Valtteri Filppula: 1 assist

The veteran put up an assist on the Beauvillier goal early in the first period. I don’t know what it is about Filppula, but he brings out the best in Beauvillier. Thank God.