Islanders beat former teammate Greiss and Red Wings
Islanders players celebrate a power-play goal by center Brock Nelson against the Red Wings in the second period of an NHL game at UBS Arena on Thursday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
It was an unpleasant homecoming for Red Wings goalie Thomas Greiss, who faced the Islanders for the first time since leaving them in free agency and was forced from his team’s loss after two periods as a precaution after a hard collision with Oliver Wahlstrom.
Brock Nelson scored twice, leaving him one shy of his first 30-goal season, Ilya Sorokin made 37 saves and Anthony Beauvillier scored the second- fastest goal to start a game in team history as the Islanders built a four-goal lead and won, 5-2, on Thursday night at UBS Arena.
“I was able to just poke it and Beau finished it really well,” said Anders Lee, who had the first of his three assists as his forecheck forced defenseman Filip Hornek into a turnover before feeding Beauvillier in the low slot for a 1-0 lead just nine seconds in. “We set out to have a good start and we got a break to do it.”
Bryan Trottier scored in five seconds in Boston on March 22, 1984.
The Islanders (28-25-9), who have won two straight and are on a 7-1-1 run, sit 15 points out of a playoff spot.
Greiss, who allowed three goals on 16 shots, played a memorable five seasons for the Islanders from 2015-20. He signed a two-year, $7.2 million deal with the Red Wings in 2020 as the Islanders made roster space for Sorokin.
“Greisser was a great teammate,” Mathew Barzal said. “He was a really fun guy.”
The crowd gave Greiss a loud ovation during a first-period video tribute, which the goalie acknowledged by waving his glove. Greiss’ wife, Brittney, on social media, said she didn’t come to UBS Arena because “I would be an emotional wreck.”
Wahlstrom made it 2-0 at 16:07 of the first but was penalized five seconds later. That turned into a five-on-three power play for the Red Wings (26-31-7), who failed to score. Sorokin made four saves during that 1:41.
Said coach Barry Trotz, “The whole game was teetering on that five-on-three and we did an outstanding job.”
Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.
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