In Friday evening’s matchup, the New York Islanders faced the Minnesota Wild at UBS Arena, looking to bounce back after a overtime loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, November 4.
Minnesota controlled the first few minutes, with Ryan Hartman skating in all alone on David Rittich. The first shot went wide and the second went straight through the crease behind the Islanders’ goaltender—the home team just narrowly avoiding a one goal deficit. The Islanders did have more shots on goal through three minutes than the Wild did though.
In Minnesota’s zone, Jacob Middleton was sent to the penalty box for a two-minute tripping minor on Anthony Duclair. The Islanders were unable to convert on the man advantage, which was ranked 25th in the league prior to Friday night’s game.
Following the penalty’s expiration, Joel Eriksson Ek was fighting with Kyle Palmieri in front of David Rittich. Marcus Johansson was able to skate in and pass the puck to Jonas Brodin, who tapped it to Vinnie Hinostroza, who tipped the puck into the net behind DR.
Minnesota maintained pressure through the next few minutes, resulting in a scramble in front of Rittich, who was screened from seeing a wrister from Danila Yurov, which found the back of the net.
The Islanders were not completely inactive in the first. They did manage ten shots on goal, but Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt looked strong in his crease. The home team found some chances at the end of the period, but failed to reduce their two-tally deficit.
Both teams were awarded chances in the opening minutes of the second period. Once again, Minnesota found more dangerous chances and maintained a stronger control of the puck.
Once the Islanders finally entered the Wild’s zone, Emil Heineman sent the puck behind the net on a wide shot, resulting in Bo Horvat getting clipped with a high stick. Now in front of the net, a nifty play from the hashmarks from Horvat found Mat Barzal. Barzal, with a good sense of the play, passed the puck to Heineman, who scored the Islanders’ first goal of the night.
Shortly after, Matt Boldy’s wraparound attempt was stopped by Rittich, who could not control the rebound. The puck found Brock Faber’s stick and then the back of the net.
Almost immediately following the Wild goal, Yakov Trenin was sent off for high-sticking Matthew Schaefer. After a shot by Tony DeAngelo missed the net, Anders Lee attempted to gather the puck. Brodin did not seem pleased with Lee’s play and created a small scuffle in front of the Wild’s net.
Poor puck management in the Minnesota zone ended a good setup from the Islanders and created a breakaway chance off a stretch pass for Marco Rossi, who put the Wild up another goal.
At 13:12, Adam Pelech was handed a two-minute slashing minor. The Wild held the fourth best power play before Friday’s matchup. The Wild were unable to convert on their man advantage.
With time winding down, J.G. Pageau skated his way into the Minnesota zone all alone, netting the puck past Wallstedt. The Islanders kept their foot on the gas after the goal, earning more zone time and pressure to end the period.
Down two goals, the Islanders had work to do in the third. The Islanders only managed six shots in the third. A goal almost midway through by Kirill Kaprizov put the Wild up 5-2, effectively squashing the home team’s hopes.
The Islanders face off against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden on November 8 at 7 p.m.
