The New York Islanders extended their winning streak to six games with a dominant 6-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday night, solidifying their playoff position.
Kyle Palmieri opened the scoring for the Islanders just 7:28 into the game, marking his 20th goal of the season and his sixth time reaching that milestone in his career. The Islanders continued their offensive onslaught in the first period, with Casey Cizikas and Brock Nelson adding goals to give New York a commanding 3-0 lead.
The Islanders’ top line of Horvat, Nelson, and Mathew Barzal played a pivotal role in the victory, combining for six points. Horvat extended his goal streak to three games, while Nelson scored his team-leading 29th goal of the season. Barzal contributed two assists, showcasing the Islanders’ depth and offensive firepower.
Pierre Engvall and Cal Clutterbuck also found the net for New York, while Semyon Varlamov made 22 saves to earn his first win since December 13th. The Islanders have now outscored their opponents 11-0 in the first 20 minutes during their winning streak.
For the Ducks, Alex Killorn extended his goal streak to four games, but it was not enough to prevent their third loss in four games. Lukas Dostal made 13 saves for Anaheim, who have been outscored 12-3 in their last two outings.
The Islanders’ victory moves them into the Eastern Conference’s second and final wild card spot, just two weeks after being seven points back. The Islanders and Detroit Red Wings are now tied with 74 points, but the Islanders have one game in hand.
“We were ready for them. We played a good game and jumped on them early,” said Islanders coach Patrick Roy. “All four lines are playing well. The defensemen are moving the puck fast, and it’s what’s making us successful.”
The Islanders will remain in Southern California to face the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, while the Ducks will open a four-game road trip against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday.
