It took some extra effort, but the New York Islanders were able to defeat the Ottawa Senators in regulation by a score of 4-2.
The New York Islanders and Ottawa Senators faceoff for the second time on three nights as the home-and-home series continues. On paper, you’d expect the Islanders to win both, but the Senators showed us all that being good on paper doesn’t actually matter.
The Islanders might have won the last game but the Senators didn’t wilt under the pressure of a superior team. It took a shootout for the Isles to secure a 5-4 victory.
The Senators played a pesky game and stuck with and were almost rewarded for their efforts. Tonight, the Islanders were hoping to take the two points while keeping the pesky Sens quiet.
First Period
Valtteri Filppula put in both the Islanders goals in the first period. His first came from a nice back-handed shot form an equally nice backhanded pass from Leo Komarov.
Filppula’s second would come from a head-up veteran play. Filppula drives up the middle as the puck breaks for him. On the half-volley, Filppula slams it past Nilsson.
Brady Tkachuck would score one for the Senators with his best Anders Lee impersonation.
It was a back and forth affair, but the team with more quality in the lineup was in the lead. Everything was as it should after 20.
Second Period
The Islanders pitched one of their famous terrible second periods again. Through the second frame, the Senators got 17 shots to the Islanders 10. Worse was the Isles 7-1 high danger chances disadvantage in the second frame.
The Senators Oscar Lindberg would get the tying goal for the Senators.
Again, the Senators were going toe-to-toe with the New York Islanders. Something had to give.
Third Period
A 5-4 shootout and now another two penalties tied with the Senators did not look good for the Islanders. If they’re truly this top tier team they should be dispatching teams like the 2018-19 Senators.
But through most of the third period that wasn’t happening. The Senators were playing a dogged game that was proving to be effective against the Isles.
And then 12:29 into the third period Anthony Beauvillier made it 3-2. Pelech did the smart thing and just get the puck on net. Beauvillier right in front of goal, was able to jam the puck into the net for the lead.
With the lead and only a few minutes to go, the Islanders could work on putting the game to bed and secure the two points.
With a Casey Cizikas empty netter (thanks to a huge Brock Nelson block at the blue line), the New York Islanders were able to leave Ottawa with a 4-2 victory and return to top spot in the Metro.