3 Takeaways: Reinforcements Lead Islanders to 5-2 Win Over Vegas

On the second night of a back-to-back, the New York Islanders bounced back.
Buoyed by three players who did not play on Friday night in Arizona, the Islanders scored a 5-2 win over the Pacific Division leading Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena.
Simon Holmstrom's first NHL goal held up as the game winner, while Hudson Fasching also drew into the lineup and lit the lamp for the Islanders. Semyon Varlamov stopped 35 of 37 shots before leaving the game late in the third period.

In the process, the Islanders halted a three-game winless streak and kept pace on a night the Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers and Washington Capitals - the latter of whom briefly knocked the Isles out of a playoff position - all won.
Anders Lee, Brock Nelson (ENG) and Zach Parise (ENG) scored for the Islanders, while Reilly Smith (2 PPG) scored both goals for the Golden Knights.
"We had to really respond from last night's performance with a good one and I think we answered the call," Parise said. "Twenty-four hours of a lot of reflection, so it was good to see us respond."

HOLMSTROM SCORES FIRST NHL GOAL

Simon Holmstrom scored a milestone goal on Saturday night, netting the first tally of his NHL career.
The Swede did it in style, making a move on Alex Pietrangelo before cutting into the slot and beating Thompson five-hole to put the Islanders 3-1. Holmstrom's goal eventually held up as the game-winner. Zach
"It was unbelievable," Holmstrom said. "It's been a long time [coming] and just a great team win as well for us."
Parise, who had the primary assist on the goal, immediately scooped the puck up for the rookie.
"He's played some really good hockey and had some good looks," Parise said. "We've all been there getting our first one in the league and the team was really excited for him. And it's good to see him get rewarded."

Holmstrom's first NHL goal headlined his night, but there was plenty more to like about the 2019 first-round pick's game, his 11th with the Islanders this season. Holmstrom made a nice play to protect the puck and spin off William Karlsson along the boards in the second period and the 21-year-old took a pair of shifts late in the third period with the Islanders looking to protect a one-goal lead - a sign of trust from Lambert.
"He's been a very responsible player in Bridgeport," Lambert said. "That's a role that he plays there. There's no reason why he can't play that same role here."
"It gives you a lot of confidence," Holmstrom said. "I'm just trying to do my best. Luckily it worked out well for me."
"It's getting better and better," Holmstrom added when talking about his growing confidence. "I mean, you're just trying to make the right plays at the right time. And now we're just trying to keep that going.
Holmstrom now has two points in 11 games with the Islanders since being recalled on Nov. 23. Holmstrom played in 10 consecutive games in place of Kyle Palmieri, who was out with an upper-body injury. Palmieri returned to the lineup on Friday in Arizona, but the veteran winger was injured in the third period and is currently day to day with an upper-body injury, clearing the way for Holmstrom to rejoin the lineup on Saturday.

VARLAMOV SOLID, BUT LEAVES GAME, IN WIN

Semyon Varlamov played a pivotal role in the Islanders win, as the Islanders goaltender was under siege for stretches against the volume shooting Knights.
Varlamov stopped 35 of 37 shots on Saturday night, getting the start for the Islanders in the second night of their back-to-back in the desert.
He stopped all eight shots he saw in the first period, fighting off a high-danger chance from Nicolas Roy with his arm early for perhaps his flashiest save of the night. Varlamov was key in keeping Vegas' potent first period attack at bay, as the Golden Knights entered the game with a +22 goal differential in first period, but trailed 1-0 after Anders Lee's late goal. He was solid in the second period too, stopping 16-of-17 shots in the period.
While Varlamov improved to 4-0-1 in his last five games, the veteran goalie's night was marred by leaving the game in the third period with an undisclosed issue. With the Islanders up 3-2, Ilya Sorokin came in to finish out the final 6:22 of the third period, stopping the one shot he saw.
Head Coach Lane Lambert said he was surprised to see the goaltender leave the game in the third period and did not have an update on his status.

MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON

Hudson Fasching waited over six-and-a-half years between his first NHL goal and his second.
The distance between his second and third? Eleven days.
"It feels a lot better," Fasching said. "I was hoping that I wouldn't go another six years, I think it would have set some sort of record if I pulled that off, but yeah, it feels good to contribute and help the team win, that's the biggest thing for me tonight."
Fasching netted a beauty on Saturday night, streaking down the left wing and around Alex Pietrangelo before curling off the goal line, cutting across the crease and depositing a puck five-hole on Logan Thompson.

Fasching was in the game in place of Cal Clutterbuck, who missed the contest with an upper-body injury. He assumed a Clutterbuck-type role, throwing out five hits in addition to his goal in 11:58 TOI.
"He certainly is playing well," Lambert said. "He drove the net. He skated, he tracked pucks. Yeah, I think he's making a compelling case."
Fasching, who said he's growing more comfortable with a bit of an extended look, now has two goals in his five games with the Islanders.

NEXT GAME

The Islanders take on the defending Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche on Monday night in the Mile High City. Puck drop is at 9 p.m. eastern.