The Upshot: NY Islanders overwhelm San Jose Sharks in the second; win fifth straight

HOW IT HAPPENED

Kyle McLean, Mathew Barzal, and Sebastian Aho each scored in a span of 5:01 in the second period, lifting the Islanders to a 7-2 win over the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night for their fifth straight win. Thomas Bordeleau and Mike Hoffman scored for San Jose, and Magnus Chrona had 26 saves in the Shark's (15-40-7) ninth-straight loss (0-7-2). Noah Dobson scored just 19 seconds into the game, and Bo Horvat later added his 25th goal of the year for the Islanders (28-20-14), who are now just two points out of a playoff spot. Alexander Romanov and Anders Lee also scored as Ilya Soroin made 23 saves. Thomas Bordeleau and Mike Hoffman scored for San Jose and Magnus Chrona had 26 saves in the Sharks (15-40-7) ninth straight loss (0-7-2).

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Everything the after the Sharks scored to make it 3-2.

After San Jose cut the Isles' lead to 3-2 with 11:49 left in the second, MacLean scored the goal of the game just 15 seconds later with a wrist shot from a nearly impossible angle to extend the lead.

“The goal that MacLean scored was a big one for us,” Roy said. “Every time they scored we got one back. It's a great sign.”

That was followed by a great individual effort by Barzal who gloved down a clearing attempt at the blue line and then executed a perfect give-and-go with Nelson to extend his point streak to six games. Soon after, Aho scored on a snap shot after receiving a beautiful cross-ice feed from Horvat.

They completely overwhelmed San Jose, a team that has now lost nine straight, as they should.

WHAT WENT WRONG

Despite the 2-0 lead after one, the first period wasn't great, you can even argue than the Sharks were the better team. The Isles had the edge in shots, but San Jose had more scoring chances and more attempts overall. Fortunately for the Isles, Dobson's lucky goal off a skate 19 seconds in followed by Romanov's goal late in the period masked a so-so start to their west coast trip.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per Eric Hornick in The Skinny, The Isles had goals from three defensemen for the first time since October 15, 2022, vs. Anaheim; they had not done so on the road since February 4, 2002, in Florida. Seven Islanders scored goals for the first time since 2021. The Isles scored seven goals in a road game for the first time since October 18, 2018, in Los Angeles (also 7-2, and also the last time the Isles won by five goals on the road).

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Patrick Roy was all smiles after a fan sitting behind the bench wearing a shirt with his photo and name on it received a puck from an assistant coach after his first try hit the glass.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders will have two days off in California before they look for their sixth straight win against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night. Face-off is set for 8:00 PM EST.