The Islanders kept rolling and kept pace in the East with a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks, buoyed by a 3-0 first period including two Anders Lee power play goals that sent him ahead of Brock Nelson in the all-time franchise rankings.
The win was tempered by the sight of Bo Horvat going down, quite uncomfortably and splits-like, in the second period and leaving the game for good. Patrick Roy said afterward that Horvat is “day to day,” so hopefully they’ve got a strong indication of no structural damage to the Isles’ leading scorer.
David Rittich made 31 saves and had one attempt at an empty net goal (clairvoyantly predicted by Thomas Hickey on another night of great color commentary), and Travis Mitchell opened scoring with his first NHL goal.
The Holmstrom goal, simply a beauty and at a perfect time:
The Horvat injury (trigger warning for those with groins or ankles):
It’s Pat LaFontaine Night on Saturday, and even Billy Smith (who was in attendance tonight, next to Bryan Trottier) will be there. It will be the third meeting in two weeks with the Lightning, who are suddenly stumbling and will want revenge to avoid the season sweep.