Uniondale, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Frans Nielsen’s shootout goal led the New
York Islanders to a 1-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in a goaltenders duel
on Monday.
Philly’s Steve Mason made a season-high 46 saves through regulation and
overtime, while Jaroslav Halak stopped 21 shots.
Nielsen put the first puck past either goaltender with New York’s second
chance, as he buried a wrister past Mason.
Claude Giroux then beat Halak back to the forehand and his low shot appeared
to have an open path to the net, but Halak slammed the glove arm down and kept
it out.
Jonathan Tavares then sealed the victory as he went back and forth before
lifting a backhand into the right corner of the net.
Both goaltenders were given a shutout in the game, as Mason notched his first
of the year and 24th of his career, while Halak nabbed his third of the season
and 33rd of his career.
Mason made 27 saves through the first two periods, before turning aside 16 in
the third and three in overtime, including a beautiful stop of Johnny Boychuk
down low just over a minute into the extra session.
Halak needed to stop just 16 shots in the first two frames, then made five in
the final 25 minutes to force the shootout.
Game Notes
New York went 0-for-3 on the power play while Philly was 0-for-2 … Philly
plays in Detroit on Wednesday … New York hosts the Capitals on Wednesday for
the start of a home-and-home set … Philadelphia took three of four from New
York last season.
