Islanders Hang On To Win 4-3 In Washington (Highlights)

After a wild first period, the New York Islanders were able to hang on and win 4-3 ending their 2019 on a high note.

What a weird game to close out 2019 for the New York Islanders. It started off about as good as it could get and then it appeared like things would get out of hand rather quickly. At the end of the day, it was a 4-3 win that had fans holding their breaths in the final second.

Casey Cizikas got the Isles on the board at the 7:13 mark of the period on a beautiful deflection. He was able to skate into the slot as Mayfield let one go and he deflected it past Braden Holtby.

Just three minutes later, on their third shot of the game, Brock Nelson was able to rip one by Holtby giving the Isles a two-goal lead.

Unfortunately, the Isles would give it right back. Just 14 seconds later they let Evgeny Kuznetsov get wide open. The Isles were caught watching the puck and nobody picked up Kuznetsov, it appeared to be Devon Toews’ man.

Tom Wilson would net his 13th of the year before the end of the period to tie it up at two as the Islanders again were standing around in front of the net napping while Wilson was able to get a stick on it to beat Semyon Varlamov.

The second period started just as badly for the Islanders. 44 seconds into the frame it was Evgeny Kuznetsov giving the Capitals their first lead of the day.

Can anyone explain to me what Adam Pelech is doing here? He completely panics and throws the puck into no man’s land and Evgeni Kuznetsov makes no mistake to give Washington the lead.

Three goals off of self-inflected wounds for the Isles today, a game that looked eerily similar to their performance in Chicago. Just under four minutes later, Cizikas would tie up the game with his second goal of the afternoon.

Cizikas plays such an important role on this team and if he starts finding the net a little bit more the Isles will be in good shape. He’s now on pace for 16 goals after his performance today.

Before the end of the second, the Isles would re-take the lead thanks to Tom Kuhnhackl. Topline Tommy netted his second goal of the season, and second goal in as many games to give the Isles a 4-3 lead.

No goals were scored in the third period, but the Isles certainly didn’t make it an easy finish. Semyon Varlamov stood on his head all period long. The team was put to the test when Scott Mayfield took a tripping penalty with one minute remaining in the game.

The Isles killed it off and hung on to win 4-3, finishing 2019 on a good note. The Isles play next on Thursday when they take on the Devils at the Coliseum.

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Winners: Casey Cizikas, Evgeny Kuznetsov, Semyon Varlamov

Losers: Adam Pelech, Scott Mayfield, Braden Holtby