Islanders romp Red Wings in 8-2 win

The Islanders wanted to make a statement after an embarrassing 6-2 loss to the rival New York Rangers.  Luckily for them, the worst team in hockey made their way to Long Island for the second half of a back-to-back.  The Islanders under Barry Trotz were 15-3-2 on the second half of back-to-backs.  The Islanders made quick work of the Wings, steamrolling them in an 8-2 victory.

Jordan Eberle started the scoring off early for the second time in two nights, tucking one past Jimmy Howard just three and a half minutes in.  Josh Bailey followed with a goal on a wide open net just thirty seconds later, and Brock Nelson extended the lead to 3-0 four minutes later on a beautiful feed from behind the net by Anthony Beauvillier.

The Red Wings scored a goal on what looked like a harmless shot to cut the lead back to two, but the Islanders were buzzing all period and extended the lead with a late Anders Lee goal.  The game was over before it started, and the Islanders proved that with the hot start.  Calvin Pickard took over for Howard late in the first and didn’t fare much better.

Brock Nelson took a late penalty in the first but somehow it worked out for him, as he was sprung on a breakaway from the box.  Nelson beat backup Calvin Pickard by sliding the puck through an open five-hole to extend the lead to 5-1.  Just forty seconds later, a baby-faced 20 year old finally struck gold.  Noah Dobson, who had played in six straight games for the first time this season, threw one at the net and it deflected off a Red Wings’ glove and in.

It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but it didn’t matter as goals still count no matter how they’re put in.  Dobson deserved it, as he was one of the few Islanders praised in the Islanders’ loss the night before.

In the third, two more Islanders joined Josh Bailey and got off the snide with goals.  Anthony Beauvillier scored for the first time in 20 games with a deflection off a Ryan Pulock shot.  Four minutes later, Uncle Leo Komarov scored his first goal in a calendar year, a goal that could not have been easier.  Scott Mayfield dumped the puck in and it hit off the boards and back in front of an open net for a Leo tap-in.

The Islanders gave up a first NHL goal of their own, with Givani Smith scoring his first to make the score 8-2.  It wasn’t a very intense game because the game was well over by then, but the Islanders hounded the Wings all night.  Even though Detroit outshot the Isles 36-26, the quality of shots between the two teams was night and day.

A game like this could get the Islanders back on the wagon.  With games coming up against the Rangers, Capitals and Hurricanes, the Islanders need to get back to Islander hockey.  If they can go on a win streak heading into the All-Star break, they’ll position themselves nicely for a good second half.