Islanders extend almost mystical dominance at Barclays Center
There are a few theories that might have some truth to them, but nobody can quite put their finger on what, exactly, it is that makes the Islanders such a threat at Barclays Center this season.
They’re not complaining, though, especially after their latest win, 3-1 over the Capitals on Monday night in Brooklyn.
The Capitals entered Monday in second place in the Metropolitan Division, but the Islanders joined them there by the end of the night, picking up two points and improving to 9-1-2 at home this season.
The win kicked off a stretch of home cooking around the holidays for the Islanders, who play seven of eight at Barclays Center through Christmas.
Coming off a tough four-game road trip, the Islanders didn’t take long to welcome themselves back home with an early lead courtesy of some slick passing.
Facing the boards with a defender behind him, Jason Chimera slid a backhanded pass to Cal Clutterbuck, who then got off a shot on net. It deflected off goalie Braden Holtby, but Brock Nelson was there on the other side of the net to scoop up the rebound, deke and calmly poke the puck into the back of the net to make it 1-0 at 2:36.
Anders Lee thought he had made it 2-0 later in the first period, but the goal was waved off. Lee’s initial point-blank shot got stuck under Holtby’s blocker pad, and after multiple attempts to jam it home, the puck finally crossed the line. Coach Doug Weight challenged the ruling, but the call stood since Lee pushed Holtby’s pad to get the puck into the net.
A real 2-0 lead came just 36 seconds into the second period. Calvin de Haan back-handed a cross-ice pass through the crease and Andrew Ladd one-timed it home.
Just 58 seconds later, the Islanders ended Holtby’s night. Josh Bailey found John Tavares open in front of the net, with Holtby out of position, and the captain made it 3-0 with an easy finish.
As the Islanders celebrated, Philipp Grubauer skated onto the ice to replace Holtby in net.
The Capitals put a late blemish on goalie Jaroslav Halak’s otherwise strong night as Dmitry Orlov fired a shot off a two-on-one break to ruin the shutout with 11:37 left in the game.