Anthony Duclair’s Remarkable Return

Anthony Duclair has been with the Islanders for 17 months, but it often feels much longer for those involved.

It’s easy to overlook, but when Duclair signed on July 1, 2024, he was expected to join forces with Mathieu Barzal and Bo Horvat to create a formidable top line.

Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster. Remember the torn groin he suffered just five games into the previous season? Or how about his rushed attempt at returning? Coach Patrick Roy’s press conference, which marked an early end to the season, hasn’t helped either. Duclair has mostly been a healthy scratch this season, lingering in the bottom six.

Tuesday marked his much-anticipated return after two injuries. Once again, he found himself on the fourth line, making it the tenth time this season.

So, how did he perform?

This was the Duclair the Islanders had envisioned when signing him two summers ago.

He scored a hat trick in a stunning 9-0 defeat of the Devils at UBS Arena, matching the largest victory margin in the franchise’s history.

This was Duclair’s first point since December 2, and it marked his first two-goal game as an Islander. It’s noteworthy that his last appearance was on March 5, 2024, just before a trade from the Sharks to the Lightning.

Interestingly, this was his first hat trick since December 14, 2019, when he played for the Ottawa Senators, and it stands as the fourth hat trick of his career.

His assist on Tony DeAngelo’s late goal added to his achievement, bringing his game total to four points, a career high.

Duclair’s standout performance nearly overshadowed Ilya Sorokin’s remarkable 44-save shutout—a franchise-record 26th in his career—after he’d been out for seven games due to a lower-body injury.

His first two goals showcased a similar pattern: Duclair handling the puck during odd-man rushes, selling the pass, and then firing a shot past Jacob Markstrom from the left circle.

Following Barzal’s early goal, Duclair struck twice more before the first intermission.

In the second period, Barzal, noticing a shooting lane during an offensive shift, opted to feed Duclair for the hat trick, which was well-deserved.

Ironically, despite Duclair’s scoring, the Devils dictated much of the game’s flow, although their lack of scoring efficiency told a different story.

The Islanders occasionally struggled with puck control, but Duclair’s stellar performance was a highlight, overshadowing Sorokin’s comeback.

If Sorokin hadn’t been on form, the game’s narrative might have shifted dramatically.

On the other hand, Markstrom had a rough night, conceding goals on two of the Islanders’ first five shots and five of their first 14 attempts.

Simon Holmstrom added a goal when he capitalized on Markstrom’s misplay, further frustrating the Devils’ fans, one of whom tossed his jersey onto the ice in protest.

In the end, Markstrom allowed a soft goal early in the third period, capping off a challenging outing. The Islanders continued to add goals, with DeAngelo, Cal Ritchie, and Cizikas each contributing to the final score.

Interestingly, the jersey toss felt emblematic of the current sentiments among the two fan bases.

The Islanders appear to be on a positive trajectory, managing injuries effectively and receiving contributions from various players. Alongside Duclair’s hat trick, Barzal had a goal and two assists, Ryan Purok also had two assists, and Adam Pelech showcased solid defensive plays.

Meanwhile, the Devils are in a difficult position, with fans expressing discontent and a team that once aimed for a Stanley Cup now finding itself below the playoff line.

The Islanders, on the other hand, are not too far from similar concerns.