Despite missing Mikhail Grabovski and Calvin De Haan, the New York Islanders were able to put forth a strong effort and gain some ground on the New York Rangers, who lost to the New Jersey Devils. They are now just three points back of the Rangers with two games in hand.
While the Islanders had strong performances in virtually every aspect of their game tonight – Jaroslav Halak stopped 30 of 31 shots and the Islanders controlled 55.1 percent of the score-adjusted unblocked shot attempts – but the difference maker was special teams. The Islanders were able to score two powerplay goals, kill off all five Minnesota powerplays and score a shorthanded empty-net goal.