Top Games of the 2017-18 Season

Last season had its ups and downs, but there were some memorable games sprinkled throughout the season. From comebacks to homecomings, NewYorkIslanders.com revisited five of the top games from the 2017-18 season.

It felt like old times right down to the pre-game tailgate on a sunny day at the Old Barn. Even the Stanley Cup was in attendance, as the NHL Centennial Tour timed its Long Island visit with the game. Inside, the Coli was packed with fans roaring for the Islanders as they took the ice.

Sure, the Isles came out on the other side of the ice, the seats were black and the scoreboard was newer, but the spirit remained the same.
"It had the atmosphere like most Saturday home games when we were here and pretty close to what we had in the playoffs," John Tavares said.
Tavares made sure fans went home happy, scoring the OT winner in a 3-2 comeback win for the Islanders.
The place was electric all game and throughout the afternoon fans called for the Islanders to come home. They'll get their wish, as the Isles are slated to play 12 games at the Coliseum next season and more in the intervening years before Belmont.

ISLES 7-6 COMEBACK VS DETROIT - FEB 9

A loss looked inevitable when the Islanders found themselves down three goals with six minutes to play against the Detroit Red Wings back in February.
But if anyone left Barclays Center early, they missed a stunning comeback, as the Islanders scored four power-play goals in a 3:37 span to turn a 5-2 deficit into a 6-5 lead. It marked the first time in Islanders history the team had scored four power-play goals in a period.
Comeback win doesn't do the game justice. Brock Nelson, Anders Lee and Nick Leddy scored to tie it up and Josh Bailey's one-timer put the Isles ahead 6-5. Bailey's goal seemingly iced the game, but the drama continued as Detroit forced overtime with the tying goal in the final minute.
Nelson already had two goals in regulation and completed his hat trick in overtime, finishing a two-on-one with Mathew Barzal, who ended the game with five assists - his third five-point game of the season.
"That was a wild one for sure," Nelson said after the game. "I've never been a part of a game like that."

ISLES BEAT RANGERS 7-2 - JAN 13

Wins over the Rangers are always a good thing and while the Isles won all four meetings against their crosstown rivals this season, January's 7-2 win stood out from the rest.
Mathew Barzal recorded his second of three, five-point games this season and Jordan Eberle dished out a career-high four assists as the Isles offense exploded for seven goals. Barzal also scored a goal of the year candidate, zipping a backhand top corner from 15 feet out.
"Obviously Mat is special and made some real great plays," Head Coach Doug Weight said. "Ebs, they have some good chemistry, got some confidence early and all three of them were playing great hockey."

ISLES BEAT BLACKHAWKS 7-3 - JAN 20

United Center had not been kind to the Islanders over the past nine years.
The Islanders hadn't won in Chicago since March 11, 2009, but on Jan. 20, the Madhouse was Ryan Pulock's house.
Pulock had his first-career five-point game (1G, 4A), as the Islanders skated to a 7-3 win over the Blackhawks. Pulock had a goal and two assists in the first period alone and by the end of the night was the first Isles defenseman since Uwe Krupp in 1993 to have a five-point game.
"It definitely feels good. It's a big win," Pulock said. "A couple of them was just getting pucks to the net, rebounds, one was pretty lucky with the dump-in, but sometimes when you're hot, they go in. It's definitely a good feeling."
Brock Nelson finished the game with three points, while Anthony Beauvillier scored a pair of goals. It was a solid win in a tough building as the Isles blew through the Windy City.

ISLES BEAT THE ODDS IN VEGAS - JAN 25

T-Mobile Arena lived up to its reputation as a rowdy building, but that didn't faze the New York Islanders, who proved that in Las Vegas the house doesn't always win.
The Islanders became the third team - in 24 games at that point - to beat the Vegas Golden Knights on home ice in regulation, winning 2-1 on The Strip.
Jaroslav Halak was the hero, stopping 38-of-39 shots against the high-flying Golden Knights. He stopped 22 shots through two periods and only Erik Haula's late third period goal got past the Isles goalie.
"Jaro was the star of the game and made some huge saves," said Jordan Eberle.
Eberle scored the eventual winner in the third period, while Ross Johnston scored his first NHL goal to open the scoring. The win also helped the Islanders sweep the season series from the Golden Knights.
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