The NY Islanders six-game losing streak ends with rare home win over Minnesota Wild

It wasn't the biggest story in the NHL on Friday night, but the New York Islanders ended their six-game losing streak Friday night with a much-needed 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild at UBS Arena.

Defenseman Noah Dobson led the way with a goal and an assist, while Casey Cizikas and Simon Holmstrom also scored. Ilya Sorokin stopped 27 of 28 shots to secure the victory. Minnesota's lone goal came from Mats Zuccarello (a fluke goal off Soorkin's mask from behind the goal line) early in the second period, but 36 seconds later, Cizikas redirected Dobson’s shot past Filip Gustavsson, tying the game at 1-1. Holmstrom gave the Isles the lead minutes later with a fortunate bounce off Frederick Gaudreau’s skate. Dobson added a power-play goal in the third.

“Anytime you get scored on, the next shift is really important,” Dobson said. “To get one right back right away was a key moment in the game. Great job by that line, getting in on the forecheck, and a great tip by Casey.”

Matt Martin returned to the Islanders’ lineup on Friday night for the first time in 30 games, skating alongside Kyle MacLean and Marc Gatcomb. Despite the long layoff, Martin’s presence was felt. “I was happy for him—you see someone working so hard in practice,” Patrick Roy said postgame. “I’m sure he felt a bit rusty at the start, but I thought he did a really good job. We rolled four lines, and everyone had a chance to contribute.”

On the blue line, Scott Mayfield rejoined the defensive corps, stepping in for Adam Boqvist. Paired with Dobson, Mayfield logged 14:51 ice time and recorded one hit. With another assist, Tony DeAngelo has two goals and seven assists in his last 10 games. The win was the first for the Isles over the Wild at home since December. 29, 2019.

History may be made on Long Island on Sunday afternoon as Alexander Ovechkin hits the ice at UBS Arena one goal away from being the all-time leader in goals scored in NHL history.