Holmstrom Hat Trick Sinks Ducks as Dostal Has a Night to Forget
Anaheim had more of the puck at Honda Center, but Varlamov held firm while every Islanders chance seemed to find the net.
The New York Islanders won 6-2 in Anaheim, but this was not the beating the score suggests. It came down to the two goalies.
The Ducks had more of the play, out-attempting New York 60-46 and outshooting them 28-25. The quality of chances was close to even too: by expected goals, how many goals a team's chances were worth, New York led only 2.37 to 2.23. A fair result looked like a coin-flip game.
Instead, Lukas Dostal stopped 19 of 25 shots. His goals saved above expected came in at -3.63, meaning he allowed more than three goals beyond what the shots deserved. Simon Holmstrom took advantage with a hat trick on just three shots, and Matthew Schaefer set up three goals and also rang a post.
At the other end, Semyon Varlamov made 26 saves on 28 shots. Solid, not spectacular, and on this night that was enough. The bounces went New York's way.
