Nelson, Sorokin lead Islanders past Red Wings 5-2
NEW YORK - Brock Nelson scored twice and Ilya Sorokin made 37 saves to lead the New York Islanders over the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Thursday night for their sixth straight home victory.
Anthony Beauvillier had a goal just nine seconds in, the second-fastest score to start a game in Islanders history. Oliver Wahlstrom and Josh Bailey also scored for New York, which improved to 8-4-1 overall since March 1 and 7-1-1 in its last nine games. Anders Lee had three assists and Mathew Barzal added two, giving him a team-leading 30.
After starting the season 0-5-2 at their new home, the Islanders are 17-7-2 since at UBS Arena.
Pius Suter and Sam Gagner scored for the Red Wings, who won the previous two meetings this season in Detroit — 4-3 in overtime on Dec. 4 and 2-1 on Dec. 14.
ELMONT, NY - MARCH 24: Noah Dobson #8 of the New York Islanders skates with the puck against the Detroit Red Wings at UBS Arena on March 24, 2022 in Elmont, New York. (Photo by Mike Stobe/NHLI via Getty Images)
Sorokin improved to 5-1-0 in his last six starts and is 22-13-7 overall this season. He lost his shutout bid at 13:25 of the third period when Suter scored.
The Islanders got on the scoreboard quickly when Beauvillier beat former Islanders teammate Thomas Greiss from in front just nine seconds in. Only Bryan Trottier's score five seconds into New York's game against Boston on March 22, 1984, was faster.
Greiss made 13 saves before being replaced by Alex Nedeljkovic late in the second period after being injured in a collision in the crease. Greiss was playing the Islanders for the first since joining Detroit as a free agent before last season. Nedeljkovic made eight saves in relief.
Wahlstrom made it 2-0 at 16:07, beating Greiss from the left circle for his 12th goal.
The Red Wings held a 13-5 shots advantage after the first, mostly due to their chances on a failed 5-on-3 advantage late in the period.
Nelson made it at 11:39 of the second, and Bailey scored his seventh at 1:19 of the third period to make it 4-0.
Nelson scored his team-leading 29th goal at 14:07 of the third before Gagner completed the scoring at 15:18. Nelson, who has 10 goals in his last 12 games, leads the Islanders with 44 points.
NOTES: The Islanders have scored first in 14 of the last 18 games after allowing the opening goal in 11 of their previous 12 contests. ... Lee has 16 points — 10 goals and six assists — in his last 10 games. ... The Islanders announced F Cal Clutterbuck would have shoulder surgery and miss the rest of the season. Clutterbuck signed a two-year contract extension earlier this week. ... The Islanders also said D Scott Mayfield, who had played all 61 games this season, will miss 4-to-6 weeks because of a lower-body injury. ... The Islanders scratched F Ross Johnston. ... The Red Wings scratched forwards Filip Zadina and Givani Smith, and defenseman Olli Juolevi.
NICE FOR GREISS
Greiss, a fan favorite, received a loud ovation and heard sustained chants of "Greis-ser! Greis-ser!" during a video tribute at 6:37 of the first period. Greiss acknowledged the crowd at UBS Arena, waving with his gloved hand. Greiss was 101-60-17 during five seasons with the Islanders, and also won 14 playoff games.
UP NEXT
Red Wings: Host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday.
Islanders: Visit the Boston Bruins on Saturday.