Brock Nelson, the New York Islanders’ powerhouse, lit up the second half with two consecutive goals in a span of 2:49, leading the Islanders to a 6-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Monday evening. The win served as a warm homecoming for head coach Patrick Roy, marking his first win in Denver since leaving.
Patrick Roy’s Triumphant Return
Roy, a legend in his own right, boasts two Stanley Cups while in charge of Colorado. After three years as a coach with the team, Roy stepped down just a month before the 2016 training camp. His triumphant return to Denver was marked by goals from the Islanders’ Anthony Duclair, Kyle Palmieri, Anders Lee, and Mathew Barzal, while goaltender Ilya Sorokin held down the fort with 32 saves.
Calum Ritchie’s first goal
On opening night, Calum Ritchie scored his first NHL goal for Colorado, and Casey Mittelstadt added to the tally. Despite a rough start with three straight losses, the Avalanche have shown signs of improvement, with goaltender Alexander Georgiev making 32 saves.
Strong Comeback for the Islanders
Following a 3-0 loss to Dallas over the weekend, the Islanders bounced back with an impressive performance. Despite being down 1-0 within one minute of the game, this team rallied with four goals in a row to win. When Mittelstadt reduced the score to 4-2 early in the second half, Duclair quickly responded with a goal within six minutes.
Avalanche Missteps
Despite Georgiev’s improved performance, a few of his mistakes proved costly, leading directly to the Islanders’ first two goals. Lee took advantage of Georgiev’s failure to protect his skate from the right post, and a missed check gave Palmieri an unguarded net.
The Turning Point
A key moment occurred in the second half when the Avalanche, trailing 3-1, lost on the power play. The Islanders’ Nelson intercepted defenseman Cale Makar’s ill-advised pass at his own blue line, leading to Nelson’s shorthanded goal.
Strong Start for Islanders
For the first time this season, the Islanders led 2-1 at the end of the first period, and Sorokin made 10 impressive saves in the first 20 minutes.
What’s Next?
The Islanders are expected to continue their road trip against the St. Louis on Thursday night, and the Avalanche host Boston on Wednesday.
