Behind two goals from the fourth line and thirty saves from Semyon Varlamov, the Islanders blanked the Rangers for the second time this season. This was one of the Islanders’ best defensive games of the year and a big momentum win for them as well.

Islanders Game Analysis

First Period

The first period was a very strong defensively for both sides. Varlamov made seven saves, while his counterpart, Igor Shesterkin, made nine saves. Barry Trotz gave rookie Oliver Wahlstrom a notable amount of ice time, as he recorded 3:08 in the first period. He made the most of his ice time, picking up three shots on goal.

The Islanders were also the better team in the face-off dot, winning 62.5% of the draws. The Islanders had a big penalty kill during the Rangers’ first power play, sparking a huge momentum boost.

Second Period

The second period was quite similar to the first. Both teams played very well defensively, and both goaltenders were still perfect; Varlamov recorded twelve saves, while Shesterkin recorded eleven saves.

This period featured significant physical play and tension; one physical play led to a power-play opportunity for the Rangers. However, the Islanders’ penalty kill held the Rangers scoreless again. Their penalty kill has been strong lately, and it played a huge role in keeping the game close

Third Period

For more than half of the third period, both teams played impressive defense. Toward the end of the third period, Casey Cizikas scored for the Islanders, putting them up by one goal with roughly nine minutes left. About a minute later, Matt Martin scored the Islanders’ second goal of the night, putting them up by two.

Varlamov was a brick wall tonight. He had eleven saves this period and gave up no goals, shutting out the crosstown rivals. He is the first Islanders goaltender ever to shut out the Rangers twice in one season.

Islanders Takeaways

The Islanders played incredibly tonight. Varlamov was on his game, the defense played one of their best games of the season and the fourth line had their best game of the season after a rough start. This game could serve the momentum builder that they need after a rocky start to the season.

The Islanders won their second game in a row after losing the previous five games. In a shortened season, they cannot afford to be in a slump for long. Tonight, there was a game the Islanders needed to win, and they got the job done.

What’s Next?

Up next, the Islanders play the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, February 11. This will be the second time they will play the Penguins in the past five days and also the second of six times these teams will play each other in this month alone.

John Smark