SALT LAKE CITY — In a thrilling encounter on Saturday night, Mathew Barzal netted the decisive goal with just 1:25 remaining, helping the New York Islanders secure a 2-1 win over the Utah Hockey Club.
Barzal also contributed an assist, marking a standout performance that propelled the Islanders to their third consecutive victory on the road. Goaltender Marcus Hogberg was solid in net for New York, recording 21 saves, while Brock Nelson added another goal to the scoreboard.
For Utah, Nick Schmaltz was the lone scorer, and Connor Ingram made his return to the ice with 30 saves in his first start since November after an injury layoff.
The match was scoreless in the opening period, but Utah struck first in the second, as Schmaltz skillfully redirected the puck just 1:13 into the frame. However, the Islanders found their rhythm, with Nelson finding the back of the net at 16:24 in the third period, tying the game and marking his 12th goal of the season.
In terms of the game’s dynamics, the Islanders showcased an impressive defensive strategy that kept them in contention late into the match. Throughout the first period, they limited Utah to only five shots on goal, and in the third period, they allowed a mere six.
For Utah, Ingram’s return was significant as he had been sidelined for nearly two months due to an upper-body injury. He previously achieved a record of 4-0-1 in his initial five starts this season, emphasizing his importance to the team.
One of the critical turning points in the game was Nelson’s goal, which injected renewed energy into a struggling Islanders offense in the early moments of the third period, paving the way for Barzal’s late-game heroics.
Interestingly, prior to this match, the Islanders had only managed to win once when trailing at the start of the third period, resulting in a disappointing record of 1-11-1 in their last 13 instances of being behind after two periods.
Looking ahead, the Islanders will return home to face off against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night, while Utah will aim to build momentum during their seven-game homestand, with a matchup against the Montreal team scheduled for the same evening.
