Former Captain Horvat Returns to Haunt Canucks in Islanders’ 5-2 Victory
In a night filled with mixed emotions and standout performances, the New York Islanders clinched a decisive 5-2 victory against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena on Thursday. The win extends the Islanders’ point streak to five games and marks a special moment for former Canucks captain Bo Horvat.
Horvat, who spent nine seasons with Vancouver prior to his trade to New York in January 2023, achieved his first victory against his former team. He made his presence felt with two assists, helping the Islanders continue their recent success.
“It definitely feels good to finally get my first win against these guys,” Horvat said. My number was here for the first three, so it felt good to win.”
Vancouver had a positive start to the game when rookie Jonathan Lekkerimaki scored his first NHL goal just 2:40 into the first period. However, the celebration was short-lived as the Islanders took control of the game, limiting the Canucks to just six shots in the first two periods.
Key Highlights:
- Anders Lee continued his hot streak with a goal and an assist.
- Scott Mayfield, Pierre Engvall, and Noah Dobson each netted their first goals of the season.
- Semyon Varlamov stood tall on the net with 24 saves, including 19 in the final period.
- The Islanders’ strong defensive play held Vancouver to just three shots in each of the first two periods.
After the game, Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet didn’t hold back. “I apologize to the fans,” he said. “We’re not playing proficient enough at home. Guys played light tonight. I thought we were ready to go. We weren’t. It’s on me.”
The loss highlights Vancouver’s ongoing struggles at home, where they now hold a 2-3-3 record, in stark contrast to their impressive 6-1 road record.
A bright spot for Vancouver was the return of forward Dakota Joshua, who made his season debut after battling testicular cancer over the summer. Joshua logged just over 12 minutes of ice time in his emotional return to the lineup.
The Islanders’ victory showcased their growing confidence under coach Patrick Roy. “We are very confident right now,” Roy noted. “Tonight was a huge team effort. Everybody played really well. It’s hard for me to single out anybody because everybody played really solid.”
The game took a decisive turn early in the second period when the Islanders scored twice in the first 2:10. Mayfield’s deflected shot from the point found its way in just 14 seconds into the period, followed by Engvall’s rebound goal that put New York firmly in control.
Looking Ahead:
- The Islanders continue their five-game road trip with a visit to Seattle on Saturday.
- Vancouver faces a challenging weekend with back-to-back home games against Chicago and Nashville.
As the Canucks search for consistency at home, the Islanders continue to build momentum, showing they can compete with any team in the league. The victory serves as a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in the NHL, with former fan favorite Horvat now playing a key role in defeating his old team.
For Vancouver, the loss presents an opportunity for reflection and adjustment as they look to improve their home record and maintain their position in the competitive NHL standings.