Islanders 4, Oilers 1 (EN): Ho-Sang’s first NHL goal leads Isles

The New York Islanders defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-1 in their first victory in Edmonton since March 13, 2003. Josh Ho-Sang opened the scoring with his first NHL goal, and Anders Lee scored two and Andrew Ladd one to lead the Isles to a crucial two points. The Islanders stay a point ahead of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the tight wild card race.

[Game Sum | Event Sum | Natural Stat Trick | HockeyViz]

First Period:

The Islanders started slow, as they often do, but some good work by Chimera and Ladd earned an Isles power play late in the first. With some nifty work by Thomas Hickey to fake a shot and pass instead, Josh Ho-Sang, the best player to wear 66 in NHL history, put the puck past Cam Talbot with a one-timer slap shot from the point. It’s a pretty impressive first NHL goal, and it’s a moment Ho-Sang will never forget.

While Thomas Greiss had to stand tall with 12 saves, the Isles came out of the first with a one-goal lead.

Second Period:

Early in the second, Zack Kassian deflected Matt Benning’s point shot to tie the game. The Isles continued to give up some chances early on in the period, as the Oilers’ center trio of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins all displayed some of their skill and forced Greiss to make key saves.

Momentum shifted after Anders Lee picked up a Josh Bailey rebound and put it past Talbot, giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead and scoring his 24th of the season. The Isles continued to play well after that goal, forcing Edmonton to ice the puck multiple times.

However, Shane Prince left the game during the period and did not return after suffering a lower-body injury.

Third Period:

Andrew Ladd scored his 18th goal of the season and 10th in 20 games under new coach Doug Weight after some strong play with Brock Nelson. Nelson retrieved the puck from behind the net and found Ladd in front, who made no mistake from point blank.

The Oilers pulled Talbot with about two and half minutes remaining in the third, and Lee was able to score his second of the game and tie his career high in goals with his 25th of the season, giving the Isles a 4-1 victory.

Up Next

The Isles travel further west to take on the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, March 9 for a late night game at 10pm EST. The Canucks have struggled this season with a record of 28-30-7, and the Islanders should hopefully continue to build off this game and leave with another two points under their belts.

In the meantime...