Senators snap 7-game losing skid, Islanders win streak in high-scoring affair
It was '80s night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, only nobody was dressed as Doc Brown from "Back to the Future," Michael Jackson's biggest hits weren't played during every whistle, and fans weren't wearing acid-washed jeans.
It's possible only the Ottawa Senators and New York Islanders received the memo.
The game had 10 goals through the first two periods - making it very reminiscent of high-flying '80s hockey. It forced each coach to pull his starting goaltender midway through the second stanza. It was the equivalent of a baseball game where both teams are in the bullpen by the third inning.
Nevertheless, Friday night's bout featuring the club with the NHL's longest active winning streak and one of the coldest teams in the league made for great entertainment, but it didn't end how many thought it would.
Just as fate would have it, the Senators - losers of seven straight heading into Friday - defeated the red-hot Islanders - winners of four straight, and seven of their last eight - in what was one of the craziest games of the 2017-18 season thus far.
Sens backup Mike Condon was able to stop all 19 shots he faced, outperforming Isles backup Jaroslav Halak, who allowed one goal on 15 shots in the 6-5 defeat. Still, Halak can hold his head high knowing he had the game's second-best save percentage.
Goalie | Saves-Shots | SV% |
---|---|---|
Mike Condon | 19-19 | 1.000 |
Jaroslav Halak | 14-15 | .933 |
Thomas Greiss | 15-20 | .750 |
Craig Anderson | 13-18 | .722 |
There were four goals scored during a stretch of less than six minutes. It was a coach's nightmare, but a fan's dream.
Those fans can only hope for a similar outcome when the Sens and Isles meet again in March.