Islanders thump Senators as top-pair defenseman Ryan Pulock returns
Islanders players acknowledge the fans after their 4-1 win against the Senators in an NHL game at UBS Arena on Tuesday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Islanders had to have this game, just as they must have Wednesday night’s game against the expansion Seattle Kraken. And it was just as crucial to have Ryan Pulock back in their lineup if they are to make a playoff push.
"It’s huge," defenseman Scott Mayfield said. "I think that was our first time with the full lineup that we started the year with. Having him as a top defenseman, it’s big for us."
Pulock was activated off long-term injured reserve and finally made his long-awaited return after missing 25 games as the Islanders overwhelmed the Senators, 4-1, on Tuesday night at UBS Arena in the penultimate match of a seven-game homestand leading into the All-Star break.
"It’s been a process for us," coach Barry Trotz said. "This year, it’s been just a very difficult year in a lot of ways. It was good to see Ryan back in there."
The Islanders have dealt with numerous lineup absences this rocky season but none has had the long-term impact of Pulock being unavailable. He suffered what is believed to be a foot injury on Nov. 15 — before the Islanders opened their new $1.1 billion arena — and was initially expected to miss four-to-six weeks. Pulock, paired with Andy Greene, logged an economical 15:08 that included 1:57 with the second power-play unit.
The Islanders (16-16-6) snapped a two-game losing streak but remain 17 points behind the Bruins, who have played five more games, for the Eastern Conference’s final wild-card spot.
Ilya Sorokin (26 saves), making his second straight start after Trotz alternated goalies for nine games, made a game-changing stop in the second period and Jean-Gabriel Pageau’s third line with Zach Parise and Oliver Wahlstrom played one of its best games of the season. Mayfield set up two goals with picture-perfect passing.
Anton Forsberg stopped 26 shots for the Senators (14-22-4), who beat the Oilers, 3-2, in overtime on Monday night at Ottawa.
"We haven’t really had the best starts the past couple of games but Sorokie was good all game," said Anthony Beauvillier, whose power-play goal at the crease tied it at 1 at 18:07 of the first period.
The Islanders fell behind 2-0 in each of their previous three games and the Senators took a 1-0 lead at 1:56 of the first period — on Pulock’s first shift — as defenseman Nick Holden’s shot from the left popped over Sorokin and went in off the goalie’s back.
The Islanders took control with a dominant second period, starting with Sorokin going into a split to rob Alex Formenton as he skated in alone at 7:35.
"I thought it was huge in that game with Ilya coming up with a real big save," Trotz said.
That preserved the 1-1 tie that Wahlstrom broke just 67 seconds later as he got the crease to backhand in the rebound of defenseman Zdeno Chara’s initial shot.
Mathew Barzal’s one-timer from the left circle — maybe the NHL wants to send a late invite to him for the hardest shot competition for All-Star weekend — made it 3-1 at 15:50. Mayfield set up the score with a lengthy pinpoint feed from the right point, leaving Barzal to exclaim "What a pass!" as he celebrated with him.
"He’s found me a few times," Barzal said. "It’s nice to get one."
Mayfield, from the right wall, also set up All-Star defenseman Adam Pelech’s forehand-to-backhand move at the crease to make it 4-1 at 7:44 of the third period.
Notes & quotes: Rookie defenseman Robin Salo was re-assigned to the Islanders’ taxi squad to create a roster spot for Pulock…Casey Cizikas returned after a one-game absence because of a non-COVID-19 illness…Bridgeport’s Jakub Skarek, the Islanders’ third-round pick in 2018, was named the AHL goalie of the month after going 5-0-2 with a 1.98 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage in January…Brock Nelson’s power-play assist extended his point streak to a season-high four games.
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.
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