SALT LAKE CITY — Patrick Roy knew Alexander Romanov was in his element when he saw the defenseman lay down after a check.
So by the time Romanov took down Jonas Lombjorg with an old-fashioned hip check during the second period of Thursday's 4-0 win over Las Vegas, it wasn't already clear that this was his kind of night. Well, that was then.
On a night when Romanoff scored multiple points for the second time this season, the conversation ended up being about his offense, but the Islanders' top pairing, Romanoff and Noah Dobson, also had a shutdown performance.
He primarily played against the Golden Knights' top line, which included Jack Eichel and Mark Stone, but the two allowed every dangerous chance all night.
“Personally, [coach Patrick Roy] He said I could go and join the rush,'' Romanoff said. “But that's only if I play strong and solid in the D-zone. So if I clean everything in the D-zone, I can join the rush.”
It's rare to see Romanov on the ice consistently, and he'll be the first to say his focus is always defense first, but it's true that the Isles were as solid defensively as they were on Thursday. When he's playing well, he can be a weapon.
It's no coincidence that Romanov has scored two points this year; a 6-3 win over Toronto on Dec. 21 was the Islanders' only good performance of the season, similar to Thursday. It's not a coincidence.
Romanoff has just nine points this year, all assists, but the Isles have won six of the seven games he's played in.
“He moved the puck really well and made some good decisions with that puck,” Roy said. “He had a strong game, a very strong game. Probably one of his better games I've seen in a while. He's very solid offensively and defensively. We felt it and it was good for us.”
Utah Hockey Club will be without leading scorer Dylan Gunther on Saturday, with the team announcing the winger is out indefinitely with a lower-body injury.
The Islanders did not practice Friday after arriving from Las Vegas.
This is their first trip to Utah.
