The last time the New York Islanders were home long enough to unpack their bags, fans at UBS Arena were calling for the firings of general manager Lou Lamoriello and head coach Lane Lambert.
The Islanders’ decision-making duo is likely to find a warmer reception Tuesday, when surging New York begins a season-long six-game homestand by hosting the San Jose Sharks in Elmont, N.Y.
The Islanders have been off since Saturday, when they edged the host Florida Panthers 4-3. The Sharks continued their longest road trip of the season Sunday by falling to the New York Rangers 6-5.
The Islanders’ win was their fifth win in seven games (5-1-1) since a seven-game losing streak (0-4-3) from Nov. 4-16. The victory also concluded a pivotal three-game road stretch against Eastern Conference contenders, as New York fell to the New Jersey Devils 5-4 on Nov. 28 before edging the Carolina Hurricanes 5-4 in overtime on Thursday.
The win over the Panthers was doubly encouraging for the Islanders, who finally held on to a third-period lead. New York squandered a two-goal lead over the final 20 minutes against the Devils and allowed the Hurricanes to collect the game-tying goal with three seconds left on Thursday before Mathew Barzal scored 2:46 into the extra session.
The Islanders have been outscored 31-15 in the third period this year. They were outscored 9-1 after the second period in the first four games of their November skid, three of which were played on home ice in front of increasingly frustrated fans.
“Everything is based off wins and losses in the big picture,” Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson told Newsday following Saturday’s win. “Last game they scored one late, but we bounced back in overtime and found a way. And then tonight we found a way. So we can get some confidence off that to find that swagger.”
The Islanders won Saturday without Barzal, who was scratched due to illness. Even with the one-game absence, Barzal was named the NHL’s second star of the week for the week ending Sunday after scoring seven points (two goals, five assists) against the Devils and Hurricanes.
The Sharks’ resurgence continued even in defeat Sunday. They held a pair of first-period leads, tied the game in the second and nearly overcame a three-goal deficit in the final five-plus minutes of the third when Fabian Zetterlund and Alexander Barabanov scored within a 72-second span.
The Sharks have won three of their past five (3-2-0) — including a 6-3 win over the Devils on Friday — and are 6-7-1 since opening the season 0-10-1, which tied the NHL record for the longest losing streak to begin a campaign.
San Jose scored two goals or fewer 10 times in the first 11 games but has scored at least three goals six times in the past 14 games. The 11 goals in the Sharks’ past two games are their most in consecutive contests since they scored 11 goals in back-to-back wins over the Vegas Golden Knights and Arizona Coyotes from March 30-April 1.
“That fight is a big part of it,” said Sharks defenseman Jacob MacDonald, who scored in the second period Sunday. “Kind of missed that in the first little bit (of the season). Having that tonight was a very good sign.
“Definitely trending in the right direction. I like where we’re at. Just have to keep pushing to lock things down.”
–Field Level Media
