Barzal, Nelson each have goal and assist as Islanders beat Sharks 4-1

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New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (29) celebrates after his goal with center Kyle Palmieri (21) and left wing Anthony Duclair (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

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New York Islanders goaltender Marcus Hogberg (50) blocks San Jose Sharks center Luke Kunin (11) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin).

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) cannot stop a goal by New York Islanders center Brock Nelson during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

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San Jose Sharks center Nico Sturm (7) and right wing Collin Graf (51) react after a goal by right wing Barclay Goodrow (not shown) against New York Islanders goaltender Marcus Hogberg (50) during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

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New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal (13) scores against San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, left, as Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci (4) reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

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New York Islanders center Mathew Barzal, center, is congratulated by defensemen Scott Mayfield (24) and Isaiah George (36) during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

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New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy looks on during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the San Jose Sharks, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin).

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New York Islanders center Kyle MacLean (32) shoots on San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexandar Georgiev (40) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin).

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New York Islanders defenseman Isaiah George (36) defends San Jose Sharks center Alexander Wennberg (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin).

By SCOTT CHARLES

NEW YORK (AP) — Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 Saturday night.

Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock also scored, Marcus Hogberg made 18 saves and the Islanders snapped a two-game skid.

Barclay Goodrow scored for San Jose and Alexandar Georgiev finished with 27 saves as the Sharks lost for the fifth time in six games (1-5-0).

Barzal scored on a breakaway for his sixth goal of the season at 8:47 of the second period to open the scoring.

Goodrow tied it with a wrist shot from the half wall that sailed past Hogberg’s blocker just past the midpoint of the period.

Nelson put the Islanders back ahead for good just 40 seconds later, and Dobson made it 3-1 with 27 seconds left in the period.

Islanders forward Maxim Tsyplakov served the first game of a three-game suspension for a high hit against Flyers forward Ryan Poehling on Thursday.

The Islanders inducted Brent Sutter to the franchise’s Hall of Fame prior to the game. Sutter won two Stanley Cups with the Islanders and finished with 363 goals and 466 assists in his 19-year NHL career.

Takeaways

Sharks: 19-year-old forward Will Smith skated alongside Mikael Granlund and fabian Zetterlund for the first time. San Jose selected Smith with the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Islanders: After going 5-5-0 in the last 10 games, New York is seven points out of the Eastern Conference’s second wild card spot.

Key Moment

Islanders quickly regained the lead and momentum 40 seconds after Goodrow tied it midway through the second period. Nelson skillfully elevated a rolling puck past Georgiev on a pretty feed from Kyle Palmieri.

Key Stat

The Islanders improved to 17-4-4 when they score at least thee goals (including shootout winners and are 1-16-3 when they do not.

Up Next

Sharks visit Boston on Monday, and Islanders host Columbus.

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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl