Facts From Islanders 9-0 win over the Devils. Many Records Fell and Strange Things Happened.
Facts from the Islanders 9-0 win over the Devils include these things. The first fact was Anthony Duclair was -1 coming into the game, and he was +6 in this game. He had a natural hat trick in the game. A natural hat trick is when a player scores three goals consecutively for his team. The second fact from this game is that Ilya Sorokin came back from injury, made 44, and set the Islanders record for career shutouts. The third fact from this game is the Flu is going through the Islanders locker room and 18-year-ols Matthew Schafer got it. He had two points in this game. Did you watch this fact-filled and spectacular game?
Anthony Duclair Fact – Natural Hat Trick
The Islanders have played more than half a season by this point. Anthony Duclair came into this game a -1 one the season. He was benched for the last two games. Duclair had a natural hat trick. He scored three consecutive games for the Islanders. He was a shocking +6 in this game. It is clear he has a great sniper’s shot and displayed it in this game. That was an incredible turn around for the star-crossed player.
Duclair has been the subject of severe scrutiny. He was signed as a free agent before last season. As a 30-goal scorer in his career, there were high hopes for the sniper heading into last season. He hurt his groin in the fifth game and was never the same. He was even criticized by his former youth hockey coach, Islanders Head Coach Patrick Roy. He had a forgettable year. Duclair had a bad first half of this year. He was relegated to the fourth line, where his game does not fit. He had only four goals coming into this game and scored three. Is this a harbinger of things to come for Duclair? Time will tell, the Islanders hope so.
Ilya Sorokin Fact – Shutout Record
Islanders star goaltender roared back in this game. He missed the last all of the games for the Islanders since December 19. His backup, David Rittich, played well relieving him. In this game, Sorokin came back. He made 44 saves (as the Islanders were badly outshot). Sorokin also got a shutout for the Islanders. That was his 26th shutout as an Islander. The most ever for the team. Sorokin moved past Glen ‘Chico’ Resch with his spectacular performance last night. While Rittich played well for the Islanders, it would be important for them if Sorokin could play great.
Matthew Schafer Fact – Flu and 2 Points
The flu is going through the Islanders locker room. Rookie sensation, Matthew Schafer caught it Monday. There was some doubt he would play against the Devils on Tuesday. However, the third fact is that he did play, and he had 2 assists in the game. Schafer was able to skate fast and make several exciting plays in the Islanders 9-0 victory. He did not take long to make a play as he created, by skating almost the length of the ice, Mat Barzal‘s goal 1:08 into the game. He had another assist in the blowout.
Parting Thoughts
There were other great things that happened in this game for the Islanders. This game was such a blowout that all but two of them were a plus for the game. It remains to be seen if the emotional 4-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs or this blowout will propel the Islanders. However, they are fun to watch, and they now head out on a seven-game road trip. It would be nice if they could carry the considerable momentum they have built, but then again, they are the most inconsistent team in hockey.
