Takeaways: Kyle Palmieri Powers Islanders to 3-2 Win Over Canucks

Kyle Palmieri returned to the Islanders’ lineup on Sept. 30, but on Tuesday night he was back. 

Palmieri broke out and scored twice including the game-winner in the third period, as the New York Islanders beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 at UBS Arena.  

“(It) felt good to contribute,” Palmieri said. “Just been trying to work in my game and make a positive impact with the team and help our team win. Felt good to find a way to get on the score sheet and obviously get the win tonight.” 

Palmieri started the first five games without a point, but provided a substantial offensive jolt to the Isles who led 2-0 after the first. Palmieri and Matias Maccelli each scored in the opening stanza, which was an encouraging sign for an Isles team that had just one first period goal through five games.  

However, it was erased by second period goals from Max Sasson and Brock Boeser (PPG) before Palmieri restored the lead with the clincher with 14:22 to play.  

Maccelli had his first multi-point performance with the Islanders and played with a palpable pace in his game as he matched his single-game career-high with six shots on goal. He was rewarded in the third period with multiple shifts alongside Bo Horvat and Palmieri on the top line.

Maccelli scored his first goal as an Islander as he followed Palmieri’s first tally with a score 53 seconds later and now has a point in each of his last four games.  

“Maccelli started on the fourth line and he was buzzing, so we moved him up, and he created the winning goal, obviously playing with Bo [Horvat],” Head Coach Pete DeBoer said. “We've got that kind of depth where I think if guys are on, we can move them up the lineup, if they're having a good night, and vice versa. I felt very comfortable with all four lines tonight hopping over the boards, tilting the ice, and we had good structure.” 

Matthew Schaefer recorded an assist for the third consecutive game. He finished with a pair of helpers and has six assists in six games.  

Matt Kessel picked up the primary assist in his season debut on Palmieri’s opening goal for his first point as an Islander. Horvat had a secondary assist on Palmieri’s first goal to extend his point streak to six games. It's the longest point streak to start a season in his career.  

Ilya Sorokin made 24 saves and recorded the 157th win in his career. He’s now tied with Glenn “Chico” Resch for second all-time in wins in franchise history.  

The Islanders improved their record to 3-3-0.

Palmieri Makes Strides In Recovery Journey With Winner

When Palmieri tore his left ACL in November of 2025, he knew it would be an extensive process to return to form that featured back-to-back seasons of 24 or more goals.  

Despite being held off the scoresheet in the first five games of the 2026-27 season, Palmieri stuck with the process and was paid off by going to the area that’s made him successful over his 17-year NHL career: the front of the net.  

Palmieri was rewarded on his first goal for a strong forechecking effort and the puck springboarded around the wall before being floated to Kessel.  

Kessel kept the wobbling puck in the zone and tossed a knuckleball to the net before Palmieri tipped it in.  

Palmieri’s second of the night capped a crazy sequence in the Isles offensive zone as Maccelli found Palmieri wide-open in between the circles and he unleashed a wrist shot past Leevi Meriläinen.  

Palmieri recognized that Tuesday’s performance was a positive step in a long journey. He knows it’s still a work in progress, but it’s a night to remember after a long and difficult rehab.  

“There's a lot on my plate coming back,” Palmieri said. “It was a long time. I'm not the youngest guy to be coming back from an injury, so I knew it was going to take time, and this is still a process for me that I'm learning something about my body every day. It's about just staying focused on the day to day. It's what I've been doing for 10 and a half months here. Really just finding a way to progress and get myself better and get myself as close as I can to be an impact player on this team.”

Matt Kessel Makes Islanders Debut

The Islanders implemented a small wrinkle to their lineup and put defenseman Kessel on the left side of the third defensive pair next to Tony DeAngelo in place of Scott Mayfield who played the previous two games.  

Kessel – who signed a one-year deal with the Islanders in July – played in his 100th NHL game after spending parts of the previous four seasons with the St. Louis Blues.  

Kessel recorded an assist on Palmieri’s goal, showcased his ability to jump into the rush and generate offense, which he said was a focus in his game. Kessel said most of his preparation was to manage the emotions of making his Isles debut.  

“It’s obviously just trying to stay steady for me,” Kessel said. “You don't want to get too amped up and thinking way too much. You just want to be confident in your game. Focus on your few things that makes you a good hockey player and what got you here. And so I think it's just those things, and it makes it easier out there to take those couple of things, focus on those things, just play your game, and it's good to get one in after obviously playing some preseason games, but good to get the first regular season game in there.”

JG Pageau Dominates Faceoff Dot  

The Isles clung to a one-goal lead in the final 20 seconds as Adam Pelech was assessed a tripping penalty and allowed Vancouver to play 5-on-4.  

JG Pageau was responsible for taking three straight faceoffs in 16 seconds and won all three, erasing the opportunity for a game-tying goal from Vancouver.  

Pageau went 13-for-17 on faceoffs including eight for his final 10. DeBoer spoke highly of Pageau and said his three faceoff wins to close to game was pivotal.  

“Three huge ones at the end,” DeBoer said. “Those last three are key to the game. He's a warrior, and he's a guy that every team wants to have guys like that in their lineup for exactly that reason. You get to the end of a game, you're shorthanded, you need to win three draws in a row. I don't know if anyone wins three draws in a row. Usually the other guy adjusts and finds a way after two but that was a huge contribution from him tonight for us.” 

Next Game 

The Isles start a short two-game road trip up to Canada on Thursday with a meeting against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m. EDT with coverage on MSGSN.