Islanders 3, Jets 2: Nelson, Palmieri score…their last?

The top trade targets shine as the Isles rebound from their latest bad loss.

Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri each scored goals and were the top two stars of the game in what could or some would say should be their final games in Islanders uniforms. As the game’s first star, Nelson got the in-arena post-game interview with Shannon Hogan, who began with “I’m going there, my friend” as she cut the onions in front of the pending UFA, who is in his 12th season with the only NHL franchise he’s ever known.

Nelson kept his answers sincere but short, his voice sounded on the verge of breaking as he reflected on the potential finality of this moment.

The Islanders, these frustrating Islanders, turned in a really strong performance in sending the league-leading Winnipeg Jets to their third straight loss. Ilya Sorokin made 27 saves in the 3-2 win.

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Nelson reached 20 goals for the ninth time in his career (and practically 10th if you prorate the pandemic season when he had 18 in 56 games). Nelson also tied Pat LaFontaine for 14th on the franchise assist list with his 279th.

The Islanders survived an early penalty in the first, though the Jets power play would cash in once each in the second and third. Anders Lee “got ‘er goin’” with an energetic fight with Adam Lowry with five minutes to go in the first. Then surprisingly it was the Islanders power play that uncharacteristically converted, Palmieri receiving a cross-slot pass from Nelson and slinging it home inside the near post.

The Isles carried that 1-0 lead into the second period and soon doubled it on a great effort from Nelson (who was active and good all night), finishing a heads-up combo with Max Tsyplakov.

The Jets got one back seven minutes later from Josh Morrissey, with Anders Lee off for high-sticking, but the Isles held the 2-1 lead heading into the second intermission.

Once again they extended the lead early, Ryan Pulock firing from the point in the general vicinity of the net four minutes in. He had help on his fourth goal of the season as his wide-heading shot deflected in off a Jets defenseman’s skate.

For a while after that in the third, it was carnage, as body after body was hitting the deck from all kinds of clumsy and double-blindside collisions. The Jets got the worst of it, with Rasmus Kupari hitting the side of his head against the boards and having to leave the game. Lars Ehler also took a hard fall after Lee backed into him. But the Islanders took their share of lumps, with Bo Horvat taking a shot off the palm of his hand and Casey Cizikas taking a shot to the neck after he was spilled in a collision.

The Jets pulled for a sixth attacker with a few minutes to go, and they generated a few close calls, but the Isles played it pretty well. After a final J-G Pageau clear finished things, Simon Holmstrom chased and was a half second short of an empty netter. He’d have earned it, as his work at the top of the zone was also good while defending 6-on-5.

But despite the good performance to keep pace in their unlikely wild card chase, the night may be remembered only as a final song for Nelson, the drafted and nearly lifelong Islander. If this is the end, he did it well, working industriously to improve himself season after season and becoming much more than just an annual Brocktober.

Up Next

The Islanders have days off and travel out to California early for three games in four nights, beginning Friday in San Jose, the day after the trade deadline.