The Upshot: The NY Islanders find the win column again dismantling the Jets
HOW IT HAPPENED
The NY Islanders snapped their 6-game losing skid in today's matinee against the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 6-3. A team that is desperate for points finally played as one, in a one-sided contest for the majority of the game. Cal Clutterbuck got the Isles out to a two-goal lead under 10 minutes in. Vlad Namestnikov pulled the Jets within one, but one of the best second periods of the season saw the Isles extend their lead to 6-1 entering the third where they'd hold on for a much-needed two points.
WHAT WENT RIGHT
Clutterbuck's early goals took the pressure off an Islanders team that seemed to falter once finding themselves trailing. Hudson Fasching saw himself in the top 6 again playing alongside Mat Barzal, contributing three points in the second stanza, including a gritty blue-collared goal. Barzal had his first three-point game since Jan. 11 against the Toronto Maple Leafs and was named the first star of the game. Semyon Varlamov didn't have much work to do in the game's first 30 minutes, as the Islanders held the Jets to three shots in the first period.
WHAT WENT WRONG
Alexander Romanov was on the receiving end of a boarding call from Cole Perfetti in the second period that looked to have him momentarily shaken up. He got back to his feet and looked fine throughout the remainder of the game and he hopefully won't see any residual effects.
STATS OF THE GAME
- Mat Barzal recorded his 22nd goal and 50th assist of the season. 22 goals match his career and 50 assists are the first time he's reached the half-century mark, both set in his Rookie campaign
- Hudson Fasching's 3-point game was the first of his career, with all three points coming in the second period
SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE G
The Islanders honored a young Islanders fan who has battled Barth Syndrome for the majority of his life and continues to fight.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Islanders host the NJ Devils tomorrow for a 5:00 pm puck drop.