Islanders vs. Devils: Fort Neverlose at it again (Highlights)

The New York Islanders were well in control of this game for a majority of it. Through 40 minutes the high-danger attempts were 18-1 for the Isles and their expected goals-for percentage was at 84.12. That’s domination.

The numbers matched the eye test on this one with the Islanders much-improved offense showed up. Coming into this game, the Isles offense was ranked 17th in goals-for with 74. With all those high-dangers chances and that incredible xGF percentage, the Isles were able to bury four goals in 40 minutes.

New York Islanders continue home-dominance

On those four goals, five of the Islanders six defenseman picked up a point. Adam Pelech and Noah Dobson scored goals while Leddy, Mayfield, and Pulock would pick up helpers.

With goals from Pelech and Dobson getting goals the Isles d-core now have seven goals. That’s not a lot. It’s a good thing Pelech’s is upping his offensive game because, without it, the Isles wouldn’t have any goal-scoring from their top pair.

What happened after the second?

After all that dominance through 40, the Isles let their foot off the gas and the Devils punished them for it. Lindy Ruff’s men scored two goals in forty seconds. Both were questionable. As in Sorokin probably should have had both of them. I know the first won was lobbed over him, but he let that puck sit there too long.

But I guess that’s what happens when a goalie only faces eleven shots through 40 minutes, he bound to let up a soft one. Especially if the team in front of him isn’t playing as hard as they should.

Brock Nelson scored 39 seconds after Barry Trotz called a timeout to settle his team to give the Isles back their three-goal cushion and – more importantly – stop the bleeding (temporarily) for the Isles.

Jack Hughes would add a third for the Devils, as the Islanders, couldn’t shut down the Devils push in the final frame. The high-danger chances-for was 60% and a 67.51% xGF, both in favor of the Devils.

But a win’s a win, right? With the 5-3 win, the Islanders are up to seven games on their current winning streak, have a ten-game point streak, and hold a 12-0-2 record at home. Fort Neverlose is at it again.

Lose Anders Lee for some time

Anders Lee went down in the first period after an awkward collision and fall with Pavel Zacha. He left the ice without putting any weight on his right leg and did not return in the game. Hopefully, he’s not out long.

Winners

Ryan Pulock (2A): He’s not scoring, but he’s now up to twelve helpers on the year. That’s a pace of 38 in a full year.
Brock Nelson (1G): It’s a four-game goal streak for Nelson.
Matt Martin (1G): Matty now has five points in his last five games. Wild.

Losers

Damon Severson (1 OG, -3): The goal was credited to Dobson, but Severson was the one who put it in his own net.
Ilya Sorokin (3GA, 0.864SV%): This was not his best game, and still got the W.
Pavel Zacha: He didn’t really do anything wrong but his interaction with Lee is what forced him off the ice and the rest of the game.