In Uniondale, the New York Islanders got goals from Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson in a 2-0 win over the visiting Arizona Coyotes.
The win helped the Isles keep pace with the Washington Capitals who defeated the Philadelphia Flyers, 3-1.
Brock Nelson had a goal in Isles win – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
“They play a good system over there, play four lines, similar to what we do,” Eberle said. “We defended well, got a big kill at the end, a timely goal at the end and one early, and just held on. It was a good step [this weekend]; two games that we desperately needed. We’re looking at trying to take over the division and give ourselves the best chance to move as far as we can.”
New York trails the Caps by a single point for the top spot in the Metro Division.
“It just feels right the way we play,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “When you play right, it feels right, and you don’t really worry about the score as much. … Just play and then we can frustrate teams, we can get on you and the results sort of come.”
Robin Lehner made 31 saves for his fifth shut out of the season.
Arizona meanwhile has dropped two points back of the second card spot in the Western Conference and everyone else seems to be winning but them.
The Coyotes have six goals in their five losses, they are 0-3-2 in that stretch.
“I thought we had good possession, some good chances, but then there were times when we had some opportunities I think we just rushed a couple of things,” Coyotes coach Rick Tocchet said. “I thought we could have got to the middle on the point a few times and we just rushed our shot when there was plenty of time to get to the middle and shoot. That’s what happens when you don’t score, you rush things.”
The Coyotes play their nearest rivals, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and Colorado Avalanche, in their nest three matches.
“That’s the season,” Coyotes defenseman Jason Demers said. “You win those three and we forget all about this trip. You don’t win them and you think back to this trip. It’s going to be let’s go. It’s going to be playoff games the rest of the way. I think it’s been playoff games for us. I think we’ve had that mentality these last 20 minutes. We just can’t let off the gas.”
[WATCH: All Coyotes vs. Islanders highlights]
Darcy Kuemper made 24 saves in the loss.
“This one stings a bit to be honest,” Brad Richardson said. “We’ll have to forget about it and we’ve got another big one [Tuesday]. We’ve got to try to push on and figure it out here quick, but that one definitely [stunk]. You could feel we felt it was kind of a must win, but we have to move on and look at the next one tht way.”
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