Post by : Maya Rahman

In a gripping contest on Sunday night in Elmont, N.Y., the New York Islanders emerged victorious against the Seattle Kraken with a score of 1-0, clinching the victory with a shootout goal from Kyle Palmieri. This game stood out as the first scoreless match of the NHL season, extending through both regulation and overtime.

This win marks the Islanders’ first 1-0 shootout victory since they prevailed over the Philadelphia Flyers on November 24, 2014, marking a significant achievement for the team. For the Kraken, it was their inaugural scoreless match since their establishment in the 2021-22 season, while the Islanders hadn't experienced a 0-0 game since an overtime defeat against the St. Louis Blues on October 17, 2024.

Palmieri’s decisive shootout strike proved impactful, alongside Bo Horvat, who also converted in the shootout. Goalie David Rittich was instrumental, recording 19 saves during the game before stopping a shot in the shootout. Despite a goal from Freddy Gaudreau to start the shootout, the Kraken could not capitalize on two opportunities, as Rittich denied Chandler Stephenson, securing the Islanders' win.

Joey Daccord of the Kraken delivered a commendable performance with 34 saves, ensuring the game remained competitive. Even with the loss, Seattle concluded their four-game road stint with a respectable 2-1-1 record, showcasing their competitiveness away from home.

The Islanders significantly outshot the Kraken in the opening periods, achieving a 20-10 shots advantage. This marked the first time any match this season remained scoreless for the first 40 minutes. The Islanders faced challenges in their previous outing, losing 2-1 to the St. Louis Blues, which made the tight contest even more noteworthy.

Late in the second period, the Islanders had several close calls. Max Shabanov’s wraparound attempt was thwarted by the Kraken's Jamie Oleksiak, while a pass from Casey Cizikas hit Adam Larsson’s skate, denying a goal. Throughout the third period, Rittich made key saves against Berkly Catton and Matthew Schaefer, while Daccord countered opportunities from Mathew Barzal and Schaefer, keeping the game scoreless until the shootout.

With this victory, the Islanders now boast seven wins in their last nine games. Their disciplined defense, stellar goaltending, and poise during the shootout are traits that enabled them to surpass the Kraken. This game not only underscored their proficiency in tight matches but also highlighted teamwork and resilience on both ends of the ice.

This win offers momentum for the Islanders as they progress through the season, while the Kraken aim to recalibrate and create more scoring opportunities as they look ahead. Both teams exhibited impressive energy and fortitude, culminating in an exhilarating shootout finale.

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