The Islanders took control of the game from the start, out hustling the normally aggressive Coyotes. They rattled the Arizona defenders in the Yotes’ own defensive zone by establishing an effective forecheck early on, and they defended well against the Coyotes’ attackers in the “O” Zone. The Yotes seemed to be playing on their heels for most of the game rather than engaging the Islanders with their familiar “full speed ahead” style.
It took less than two minutes for the aggressive, forechecking New York Islanders to score their first goal. A shot by Ryan Pulock from Darcy Kuemper’s left circle was deflected by Derek Brassard and beat Kuemper low and to his right at 1:25 of the first period.