NY Islanders show glimpse of what they're capable of in dominant win over Detroit

The New York Islanders finally offered a full-length glimpse of what they look like when all layers of their lineup fire at once — and the result was emphatic. New York overwhelmed the Detroit Red Wings 7–2 on Thursday night at UBS Arena, a fourth straight win that looked nothing like the team that opened the season 0–3.

The offense came from everywhere. Emil Heineman scored twice, extending his point streak to five games. Tony DeAngelo, Mathew Barzal and Simon Holmstrom each added a goal and an assist. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Kyle Palmieri also scored, Anders Lee piled up three assists, and David Rittich made 29 saves in a game where the Islanders dictated every period.

The tone was set early. Just 2:05 in, DeAngelo jumped into a rush and buried a feed from Lee. By the middle frame, the ice tilted. Heineman finished a two-on-one from Bo Horvat at 14:56 to make it 2–0, then Barzal capped a three-goal second period in the final minute for a 5–0 lead. Holmstrom’s first of the season came 38 seconds after Heineman’s second of the night in the third to stretch it to 7–1.

Detroit got goals from Dylan Larkin and Jonatan Berggren, but little else. Cam Talbot stopped 23 shots as the Red Wings dropped a second straight. Todd McLellan coached his 1,200th NHL game, becoming the 23rd bench boss to hit that mark.

Matthew Schaefer’s six-game point streak ended, but on a night when contributions poured in from every tier of the roster, that was a footnote.

For the first time this season, the Islanders didn’t just find a way to win — they showed what it looks like when they take control and don’t let go.