5 Takeaways: Identity Line Drives Islanders 2-0 Win Over Rangers

It wasn't the prettiest or even the most passionate of rivalry games between the New York Islanders and the New York Rangers, but the Islanders skated to a 2-0 win thanks to a late third period push on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. With the win, the Islanders extended their point streak to four games (2-0-2) and improved their edge in the season series against the Rangers to 2-1-0.
Following two scoreless periods between the storied rivals, the Islanders broke through with two goals in the span of 2:05 from Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin. Cizikas broke the stalemate with the game winner at 11:15 into the third period. Martin scored his first goal of the season on the doorstep off of a slick feed from Cal Clutterbuck at 13:20. In net, Semyon Varlamov was a brick wall for the Islanders and backstopped them to victory with his 30 saves for his third shutout of the season and second vs the Blueshirts.

THIRD MEETING A TIGHT CONTEST:

Unlike the first two meetings between the crosstown rivals this season - which resulted in a lopsided contests between the Islanders initial 4-0 win (Jan. 14) and the Rangers dishing it back with a 5-0 score in the rematch (Jan. 16) - their third meeting this season was much more evenly balanced.
While each team had its own respective possessions of momentum, the game was fairly split down the middle, especially through two scoreless periods. The Islanders weathered some dangerous pushes from the Rangers electric forward core, including a speedy start in the third period, but also strong together some dominant stretches of their own.
The Rangers had a 9-7 shot advantage after the first period, but the Islanders had some jump in their second period where they overtook the shots lead with 14 shots to the Rangers 10 and went into the second intermission with a 21-19 total edge in shots. Both teams finished the game with an even split of 30 shots on goal. On special teams, the Islanders were dominant with their penalty kill that went 3-for-3 and their power play was unsuccessful in its sole attempt.
In the end, the Islanders stayed the course, playing to their strengths and their patience paid off.

IDENTITY LINE KEYS ISLANDERS WIN:

The Islanders 'Identity Line' of Martin, Cizikas and Clutterbuck came through clutch to propel the team to its second-straight victory by playing their trademark hard-nosed energetic style. The line finished the game with a combined four points (2G, 2A), six shots, and seven hits.
"I thought [the Identity line] played really well tonight," Trotz said. "Both teams were getting some real good goaltending and getting some big saves on some real good chances, I felt it was going to be one of the grinding lines that was going to get a goal. [The Identity Line] had as complete of a game as they've had in a while."
Cizikas deposited his second goal of the season - and second in the last four games - with a persistent effort in front of the net. Cizikas swept the initial point shot from Adam Pelech past Rangers netminder Igor Shesterkin to put the Islanders on the board.
On their next shift, Clutterbuck jetted down the right wall after receiving a pass from Mathew Barzal. Clutterbuck sauced the puck right onto Martin's stick for an effortless tap-in on the doorstep.
Getting on the scoresheet was a huge boost for the line and the Islanders. The line was previously instrumental in mounting Saturday's 4-3 comeback win over Pittsburgh. After being on the ice for Pittsburgh's go-ahead goal, the Identity line went to work with their smothering forecheck and responded with an equalizer from Clutterbuck to bring the Islanders right back in the game.
The trio, who Trotz noted ahead of Monday's game 'share a brain' were in sync against the Rangers and showcased a confident effort.
"We're keeping our game simple and playing to strengths and that's kind of creating chances for us and turning into success or our line," Cizikas said. "The way we're playing and gelling right now, it's a good feeling and something that we can build off of and get better at each game."

VARLAMOV'S SHUTOUT MAKES FRANCHISE HISTORY:

For a netminder, getting a shutout on top of a win is always a plus. Varlamov not only accomplished both but made Islander history as he became the first goaltender in franchise history to shut out the Rangers twice in the same season, as he also had a 23-save shutout in the season opener. The shutout was his third of the season and the win improved his record to 4-2-1.
Despite two scoreless periods Varlamov made key timely saves to keep the group in the game all the way through the final whistle, especially when the score was still 0-0 and a goal from the Blueshirts could have altered the outcome.
"He's been pretty incredible all year against all the teams he's faced honestly," Clutterbuck said of Varlamov. "It seems like he keeps getting better, calm and cool in there. We're lucky to have him. Tonight might have been a different game if we didn't have him back there.
ISLANDERS AT RANGERS
ISLANDERS-RANGERS ARTICLES
Gamecenter
ISLANDERS-RANGERS VIDEO
Full Highlights
Cizikas' Game-Winner
Martin's Insurance Goal
Varlamov Stones Panarin

KINGER'S CALLS
Cizikas' Game-Winner
Martin's Insurance Goal
Early on, Varlamov had been stellar with big saves in the first period including a lunging effort across his crease with his right leg to deny a Jacob Trouba blast from distance. And a few minutes later, Varlamov stoned an Adam Fox backhanded attempt in tight and a K'Andre Miller one-timer from the point.
But the in the third period, when the score was still 0-0 and the Rangers came out roaring with two Grade-A chances, the netminder kept his team in the game and helped provide them the chance to win the game.
Two minutes into the third period, the Rangers leading scorer, Artemi Panarin, got the puck at the Islanders blueline and fled on a breakaway. Varlamov flashed leather on Panarin's attempt to beat him just under his elbow. Roughly two minutes later, Mika Zibanejad was sprung for a two-on-one rush, but the Islanders netminder caught the wingers shot in-tight.
"The bench got a life from that," Martin said of Varlamov's save on Panarin's breakaway. "That's a huge moment in a 0-0 hockey game in the third period. The first goal [for either team] was going to be huge. You've got one of the best players in the league coming down and [Varlamov] makes a hell of a save. We're able to get some life from that and pot the next one."

BARZAL EXTENDS POINT STREAK TO SIX GAMES:

Barzal entered Monday night's game riding a five-game point streak with seven points (2G, 5A) over that span and with the secondary assist to set up Martin's goal, the center extended his point streak to six games with eight points in that stretch (2G, 6A).
The 23-year-old center has continued to be a consistent offensive presence for the group and leads the Islanders in scoring with 12 points (4G, 8A) in 11 games this season.

Tweet from @NYIslanders: ���You get back to your identity through adversity and hardship more than you do if things just keep rolling along for you. There���s a blessing in everything. Nothing is easy in this league, so hopefully, it makes us better.��� Trotz ������ pic.twitter.com/prnKqWev3z

TROTZ OVERTAKES THIRD ALL-TIME IN NHL COACHING WINS:

With the Islanders win over the Rangers, Trotz earned his 850th career win as an NHL coach. With win No. 850, Trotz also overtook Ken Hitchcock to gain sole possession of third place on the NHL's all-time list, behind Joel Quenneville (931) and Scotty Bowman (1,244).
Over the span of his 22-year career as an NHL coach, Trotz has earned an all-time record of 850-622-60. Now, in his third season behind the Islanders bench, the 58-year-old has assembled a record of 88-54-19 with the franchise.
While Trotz reached an impressive personal milestone, the Islanders' head coach practices what he preaches with a 'we over me' mentality.
"We're onto Pittsburgh [the Islanders next game]," Trotz said post-game when asked about what the achievement meant to him.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders return to Nassau Coliseum on Thursday night to take on the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second time this week and second meeting of six during this month. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m.