By Allan Kreda
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK—Though it only was their third game of the season, the N.Y. Islanders felt a great sense of relief yesterday.
John Tavares had a power-play goal and added two assists as the Islanders beat the Winnipeg Jets 4-2 to earn their first victory in Brooklyn.
“I think we’re most excited for ourselves,” said forward Ryan Strome, who opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 19:48 of the first period.
“It’s great for Brooklyn and great for the fans who have been loud and supportive,” he added.
Thomas Greiss made 22 saves as the Islanders sent the Jets to their first loss in three games this season.
The home team came out with purpose after losing their opening two games of the season to the defending champion Blackhawks—one in overtime at home and the other in regulation in Chicago.
“We seemed to be more in sync and we were hungry on the puck,” Tavares noted.
“There was a lot more familiarity here and that made a big difference.”
The Islanders outshot the visitors 16-6 in the opening period and had a 20-9 shots advantage in the second.
Jets’ goalie Ondrej Pavelec made a number of key saves in the first as the Islanders had four power-play chances.
Strome banged in a rebound with a man advantage with 12 seconds left in the first—giving the Brooklyn matinee crowd a chance to launch their standard “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chant.
Tavares and Kyle Okposo assisted on Strome’s first of the season.
Brock Nelson made it 2-0 on a wrist shot from the right wing at 6:46 of the second after Tavares slid him the puck from the left side.
Defenceman Johnny Boychuk also assisted on Nelson’s first goal of the season.
Tavares increased the margin to 3-0 at 10:45 of the second after Pavelec stopped Marek Zidlicky’s shot from the point and the rebound came to Tavares perched to the goalie’s left.
“From the drop of the puck, we dominated the game,” said Islanders’ coach Jack Capuano.
“We just played Islanders hockey.”
Tavares also scored the Islanders’ first goal at Barclays Center in their 3-2 overtime loss last Friday.
He was denied by Pavelec on a penalty shot with 2:15 left in the third.
Josh Bailey added an empty-net goal with 19 seconds left.
“We came out flat and they came out hungry and ready to play,” noted Jets’ centre Bryan Little.
“It was bit undisciplined and bit us chasing the puck.”
Greiss—starting in place of Jaroslav Halak for the second time in three games—wasn’t especially tested.
But he was steady when he had to be, only allowing a late second-period goal to Mark Scheifele and power-play goal by Dustin Byfuglien at 11:52 of the third.
“Our goaltender made big saves when he had to,” Capuano said.
“And his communication with our defence alleviated pressure for us.”
The Jets —starting their season with a four-game Eastern road trip—opened with wins over the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils.
They were seeking the first 3-0 start in franchise history and will conclude the trip against the N.Y. Rangers at Madison Square Garden tonight.
Elsewhere in the NHL, Vancouver edged Anaheim 2-1 (SO), Tampa Bay beat Boston 6-3, Buffalo doubled Columbus 4-2, and Philadelphia edged Florida 1-0.
