As we approach the halfway mark of the 2023-24 season, it’s looking like it will be a dogfight for playoff spots in the East, and all of the recent bubble contenders in the Metro Division are in the hunt.
So with the Islanders on a dangerous road trip out West, it was pretty important that they got two points against the most beatable opponent in the Arizona Coyotes. A 5-1 win that broke open in the third period was just what they needed, with a great performance from the top line leading the way.
Bo Horvat scored twice (once on the power play), Anders Lee sniped from the slot after a Mathew Barzal forecheck forced a turnover, and the entire line’s forecheck helped lead to Barzal’s setup of Mike Reilly for a goal.