The Islanders opened their home season against the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, Oct. 3. The joyous occasion was capped with a resounding victory. This win followed a 2-1 loss in the season opener. The team is missing their most dynamic skater, maybe the most dynamic skater in the National Hockey League. Mat Barzal was supposed to start skating this weekend, but missed this game.
The fact of the matter is that if a team cannot score, in any sport, they cannot win. Until the Islanders figure this issue out, the defensive structure put in place by new coach Peter DeBoer. The team lacks the offensive firepower to come back in games when they fall into a deficit, as they did in Toronto almost immediately. Do you think once Barzal comes back, the offensive woes will resolve?
Islanders Against Devils Game Summary October 3
In the first period, there were no goals scored, but the Islanders were fortunate because the Devils hit the crossbar with a shot. The Islanders did have the better of the play in this period, that is, until they took a penalty near the end of the period. The team killed the penalty. Then they took another penalty.
In the second period, Simon Holmstrom scored for the Islanders, giving them a 1-0 lead. Then Brayden Schenn scored for them, and they took a 2-0 lead. Of note. On the Schenn goal, Victor Ecklund got an assist. His first point in the National Hockey League. On his birthday, no less. Then, Bo Hovat scored for the Islanders on the power play. The Islanders took a 3-0 lead. That was the score at the end of the second period.
In the third period, Victor Ecklund scored a goal. It was only the third game for the youngster. Then, 42 seconds later, Ondrej Palat scored as well. The team led 5-0. Then, Casey Csizkas scored a shorthanded goal. The Islanders led 6-0. This is the sixteenth year for him. That was the final score of the game.
Mat Barzal Status
Mat Barzal, the high-scoring and quick-skating center for the Islanders, missed his second consecutive game with a knee injury. Barzal was supposed to begin skating before the weekend was over. That is good news and means the weapon could soon return to the lineup. This is good, because the team can ill-afford to have a key cog in their meager offensive attack sidelined with injury. One of the reasons why he is important is the zone entry on the power play. Matthew Schafer is capable of entering the zone with the man advantage, but needs help from Brazal.
This Game and the Next
The Islanders won this game 5-0. The player of this game was rookie forward Victor Eklund. He got his first National Hockey League point on an assist in the second period and then scored a goal in the third period. He did that all on his 20th birthday in only his third game in the League.
The Devils host Utah on Tuesday at 7 pm. The Islanders play on Tuesday as well; they travel to play the Rangers at 7:30 pm. The Rangers were terrible last season, but have been much better so far this season. Notably, goaltender Igor Shesterkin scored a goal on Oct. 1. Goalie goals, as they are called, are rare. They won their last game 1-0, behind a shutout from rookie
Conclusion: A Proliferation of Second Period Goals
The Islanders scored three goals in the second period. For a team that struggles to score goals, this outburst was very unexpected. Included in that second period, there was a power-play goal from Bo Horvat. They also had Brayden Schenn score a goal, and on that goal, Victor Ecklund got an assist. It was his first point in the National Hockey League, on his birthday. It would be very important if the team could get him and Simon Holmstrom going. Both young players could add significantly to the team’s attack.
