Canadiens – Islanders Battle Ends in Dramatic Shootout

Canadiens – Islanders Duel in Overtime

ELMONT (New York) – Noah Dobson scored in the ninth round of the shootout as the New York Islanders triumphed over the Montreal Canadiens 4-3, Saturday at UBS Arena.

Dobson beat Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau with a shot from the crease to secure his first career shootout goal.

“Finally. I am now one for five since the beginning of my career,” revealed Dobson. “I’m heading in the right direction. It feels good. This isn’t a usual role for us defensemen, but as the session went on, we prepared. Just trying to make the most of this opportunity.”

He also posted two assists, while Semyon Varlamov made 21 saves for the Islanders (2-1-2).

“We have to stay focused throughout the game. Overall, we played really well tonight,” Varlamov stated. “We created many scoring chances, more than them. I believe they only had two good scoring opportunities in the third period. Unfortunately, they scored late. It’s a shame, but that’s how it is.”

Cole Caufield scored twice, Logan Mailloux netted his first NHL goal, and Juraj Slafkovsky assisted twice for the Canadiens (2-3-1). Primeau tallied 33 saves.

“I’m very proud of how we played tonight,” Canadiens coach Martin St-Louis declared. “We started strong but trailed 2-0. The goal we scored at the end of the period was very important, and I think we deserved it. Defensively we played very well... We had a solid game away.”

Anders Lee pushed a rebound from Jean-Gabriel Pageau into the net to give the Islanders a 3-2 lead at 15:24 of the third period. Adam Pelech set up Pageau in neutral territory to spark a two-on-one opportunity.

Caufield countered, taking advantage of Varlamov’s obstructed view to tie the game at 3-3 with a left-circle shot at 17:50.

“Sometimes, you get lucky bounces. I've learned that in hockey, luck smiles at times and then at others it’s just not your night,” shared Caufield. “I’ve got to keep my head cool. Our team play needs to improve, but I like what we did tonight. There are elements to enhance, but I think everyone played pretty well.”

The Islanders had a power play in overtime but failed to capitalize.

Bo Horvat opened the scoring for the Islanders on a power play at 14:32 in the first. Mathew Barzal set him up before Horvat fired a shot from the crease that beat Primeau.

Kyle Palmieri doubled the Islanders' lead just 2:24 later with a high shot to the shield side that eluded Primeau.

Caufield cut the deficit to 2-1 at 19:56 with a power play goal, capitalizing on his own rebound to beat Varlamov from a tight angle.

Mailloux equalized at 2-2, beating Varlamov from the crease just 59 seconds into the second period. Secluded in the left corner, Jake Evans spotted Mailloux open in the crease.

“There were plenty of twists in this game,” stated Islanders coach Patrick Roy. “It was 2-0, and they equaled it at 2-2 in the second. We had several opportunities to seal the game on the power play. Both teams fought hard, then they tied it up. We had chances to win four against three. We hit the post in overtime and also in the shootout. It was a fiercely contested game. I don’t know if it was thrilling for you and the fans, but it was for me.”

The Islanders' Anthony Duclair left the match at 3:19 of the third period, unable to put weight on his right leg after a fall in the crease. No further information was provided post-game.

In the Notebook: Mailloux became the 201st player to score his first career goal against the Islanders… Caufield has six goals in six games… Nick Suzuki has recorded at least one point in each of his last four games (five assists)... Dobson has four assists in five games… Islanders forward Julien Gauthier played in his first game of the season.