This is the Future of the Islanders
Matthew Schaefer netted two goals to tie the game with under a minute remaining, and Simon Holmstrom secured the win with just 37 seconds left, leading the Islanders to a thrilling 3-2 victory against the Blue Jackets on Sunday night.
This was Barzal’s first time back on the top line since he injured his knee way back on February 1 last season. Now, he’s alongside Bo Horvat, which allows Cal Ritchie to slot in as second-line center with Jonathan Drouin and Kyle Palmieri.
It’s a promising lineup for the Islanders, sure, but it all hinges on whether the 21-year-old Ritchie, who made his debut on Friday against Washington, can step up. So far, he’s looked good, performing well in his role, especially in Washington and against Columbus.
The game showcased a balanced attack, with coach Patrick Roy often utilizing the fourth line. However, it was anything but a stroll in the park.
At first, the Isles controlled the game, but Schaefer’s lone power-play goal was the only thing to show for it. The Blue Jackets were hanging tough, and when Miles Wood redirected Adam Fantilli’s shot, they managed to level the score at 1-1 late in the second period.
Things took a turn when Denton Matejchuk snuck in a rebound to put Columbus ahead 2-1, marking their 20th shot of the night compared to the Islanders’ 35.
Romanov and DeAngelo struggled a bit since Romanov returned from injury, but they were in a tough spot while defending. Coach Roy often mixes up pairings, especially after penalty kills, so they might need to figure that out moving forward.
But the game wasn’t over yet. With the Isles skating 6-on-5, Schaefer’s shot found Anders Lee’s stick, leveling the game at 2-2.
Moments later, Holmstrom capitalized on a scramble around the crease and scored the winning goal, preventing the Blue Jackets from extending the game into overtime.
For the second straight outing, the Isles’ penalty kill performed flawlessly, preventing Columbus from scoring on three power plays in the second period and another in the third. That’s a significant effort that turned the tide.
In goal, David Rittich started unexpectedly over Ilya Sorokin and showed marked improvement, stopping 20 shots after a rough outing in Carolina. It’s clear that Ritchie, though still without points in two games, has the potential to be a long-term second-line center. He’s been solid defensively and particularly effective in transitioning the puck.
If the Islanders had capitalized on their early opportunities, the score could have looked even better. Yet, with two consecutive wins since Ritchie’s call-up and a more balanced lineup, it’s shaping up to be a strong foundation.
