Islanders 3, Wild 1: Winless streak ends at six for some reason
You two, you are fine. | Photo by Andrew Mordzynski/Getty Images
The Islanders finally rebounded, against an opponent that could really use the points — but it’s too little, too late. The Islanders extended their time in purgatory by picking now to end a six-game winless streak, beating the wild card-eligible Minnesota Wild 3-1 on Long Island.
Except for those holding out hope for a miracle, this was a perfectly empty result, coming after four consecutive regulation losses that sent them careening from the wild card chase.
The win does not change their place in the Eastern standings, as with 76 points they still trail the Red Wings (who also won), Blue Jackets and Rangers — all of whom trail Montreal (81 points) for the second wild card. For the lottery odds watchers, the two points put them four ahead of Pittsburgh, five ahead of Philadelphia and six ahead of the Sabres.
[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]
After a scoreless first period, Mats Zuccarello of the Wild accidentally opened scoring early in the second. But the Isles answered quickly and had the only lead they’d need within 2:20 of that fluke. Zuccarello’s goal is the kind you expect to happen against the Islanders, but in a much more high-leverage situation than this night.
MATS ZUCCARELLO FROM BELOW THE GOAL LINE! Down 1-2 now #mnwild #isles pic.twitter.com/M32O5ogp8C— brendan durand (@Bdurand_16) April 5, 2025
Anyway, Casey Cizikas answered quickly with a mid-slot tip for his seventh of the season...
#Isles even things up.Casey Cizikas tips Dobson’s shot with 17:42 to go in the second. pic.twitter.com/TSMELkExkL— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) April 5, 2025
Simon Holmstrom, who inadvertently provided the ramp on Zuccarello’s goal, got a couple of fortunate bounces of his own to break in and score the eventual winner, his 18th of the season.
Simon Holmstrom is closing in on 20 goals #Isles pic.twitter.com/nU2DE0lDxs— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 5, 2025
Early in the third, the Isles got a power play goal (!!!) on a Dobson one-timer after a nice exchange with Tony DeAngelo. A useful insurance goal, but one they ultimately didn’t need.
Noah Dobson plays catch with Tony DeAngelo at the blue line then scores the PPG. 3-1 #Isles with 16:24 to go. pic.twitter.com/CqeKoeJUnX— The Elmonters (@TheElmonters) April 5, 2025
Ilya Sorokin made 27 saves to get back in the W column, while Matt Martin logged a team-low 7:49 in his return to the lineup after 30 games as a scratch.
Roy thought that this was one of Dobson's better games in quite some time. Was really happy for Martin and thought that Mayfield played really well.Loved how his team played. #Isles— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) April 5, 2025
Up Next
As a bonus, elsewhere around the league Alex Ovechkin scored twice to tie Wayne Gretzky’s all-time regular season goals record, which means he’ll be primed to break the record against the Islanders in Elmont on Sunday afternoon...
...in accordance with the prophecies....
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