Islanders rout Ducks as six players score in team's sixth straight victory

ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Islanders had just earned their season-high sixth straight victory, with six different players scoring and all but six of their skaters notching at least a point as they moved back into a playoff position for the first time in about two months.

Yet the most common theme in the winning dressing room after Sunday night’s 6-1 victory over the Ducks at Honda Center — in which they scored three goals apiece in the first and third periods — was disappointment with how they played in the second period.

“Seeing them saying that we need to be a little bit better in the second period makes me proud of them,” coach Patrick Roy said. “That’s exactly what I want to see from our guys. Every day we try to be better.”

The bar has clearly been raised for the Islanders (29-20-14), who are 2-0-0 on this four-game road trip that continues against the Kings on Monday night.

They moved ahead of the Red Wings for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot. Both teams have 72 points, but the Islanders have played one fewer game and have a better points percentage.

“There’s 19 games left. It’s a long road,” Kyle Palmieri said. “But I think, realistically, it’s better to be in that spot than chasing one. We just have to continue to trust in our game and building it.”

The Islanders also are two points behind the third-place Flyers — who have played two more games — in the Metropolitan Division standings.

Goalie Semyon Varlamov stopped 22 shots for his first win since a 4-3 decision over the Ducks on Dec. 13 at UBS Arena. Lukas Dostal made 13 saves for the Ducks (23-38-3), though Roy said he thought the Islanders took more than 19 shots. The Islanders had 33 scoring chances and 13 high-danger chances compared with the Ducks’ 24 and 10, according to NaturalStatTrick.com.

“Big offensive night. Scoring a lot of goals lately,” said Varlamov, who made his first start since Feb. 22 and only his sixth in 26 games. “It’s a big boost when you’re playing with the lead, less pressure on you. We know where we’re at in the standings and you want to keep the streak going.

“I felt a little bit nervous before the game. I haven’t played for a while. It’s a great feeling to win. When you don’t play, you’re thinking too much.”

The Islanders have outscored their last six opponents 30-11.

“Everybody is working hard,” said Pierre Engvall, who beat the Ducks up ice to make it 5-1 at 7:56 of the third period before Cal Clutterbuck capped the scoring at 18:12. “We stuck to the game plan. The only thing was maybe in the second period they had some chances and had something going.”

The Islanders did not get their first shot in the second period until Bo Horvat’s power-play one-timer at 13:38.

“There’s definitely some things we want to clean up there,” said Casey Cizikas, who opened the scoring at 5:11 of the first period from the low slot after Simon Holmstrom dug the puck out of the left corner. “I thought Varly played one heck of a game. He was solid back there when they had that push. When we put it all together, we’re a dangerous team.”

Palmieri’s breakaway made it 2-0 at 7:28 of the first period and Brock Nelson’s power-play goal from the low slot extended that to 3-0 at 14:28.

Alex Killorn brought the Ducks within 3-1 by beating Varlamov over his glove from the right circle 24 seconds into the second period, but Horvat regained a three-goal edge 34 seconds into the third period.

“We’re playing connected,” Anders Lee said. “Our forwards are doing a great job of having full support. Playing pretty simple for the most part. Our defensemen are closing the gaps, they’re tight on their offense and allowing us to transition quickly.”

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.