Islanders Edge Utah Hockey Club 2-1 with Late Goal

SALT LAKE CITY – The New York Islanders secured a 2-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday night at Delta Center, thanks to a late-game goal with just 1:25 remaining in regulation. The win marked the Islanders’ third consecutive road victory, their first such streak this season.

Forward Mathew Barzal scored the game-winning goal, capitalizing on a rebound in front of the net and lifting the puck over Utah goaltender Connor Ingram. Anders Lee contributed two assists, while Marcus Hogberg made 21 saves for the Islanders (17-18-7).

Utah (18-17-7) opened the scoring early in the second period when Nick Schmaltz tipped a point shot from Michael Kesselring past Hogberg at 1:13. The Islanders responded in the third period, with Brock Nelson tying the game at 3:36 off a pass from Lee. Nelson’s one-timer found the back of an open net, setting the stage for Barzal’s decisive goal.

Connor Ingram, making his first start since November after recovering from an upper-body injury, stopped 30 shots for Utah. Despite his strong performance, the team has now lost eight of its last 10 games (2-6-2).

The Islanders’ defense played a crucial role in the win, limiting Utah to just five shots in the first period and six in the third. New York also improved its record when trailing after two periods, now standing at 2-11-1 in such scenarios this season.

New York will return home to host the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, while Utah continues its seven-game homestand against the Montreal Canadiens the same night.