Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1.

Two months out from the NHL’s trade deadline, selling off assets is “not even a thought” in the mind of Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello. That is in keeping with his history, and the Islanders waking up Thursday morning in 15th place in the 16-team Eastern Conference — with Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri both on expiring contracts — is not enough to change things as of now.

Late in the game against the Utah Hockey Club, New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy elected to make a line swap. With the way Maxim Tsyplakov has been playing and Anthony Duclair's struggles to get to his game since returning from a long-term lower-body injury,

In the eight games after Duclair's return he has one goal and two assists, but has gone four games without a point.

NY Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello dismissed concerns about losing Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri. Both players have expiring contracts and could be valuable assets before the March 7 trade deadline. Despite the team’s struggles, Lamoriello said that they aren't thinking about selling players.

THROUGH GAMES OF TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2025

The Isles are 8-5-7 in games decided by a single goal including 4-5 in regulation. They are 2-6 in games decided in overtime and are 2-1 in shootouts. The Isles are 3-8 in games in which an empty-net goal turns a 1-goal game into a 2-goal game.

The New York Islanders ended their two-game skid with a commanding 4-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks at UBS Arena.

They played connected, fast hockey in a matchup of last place teams to snap a two-game losing streak. Before the game, the team inducted Brent Sutter into its Hall of Fame.

Leevi Merilainen made 24 saves for his second career shutout and Adam Gaudette's second period goal was the only one to beat Marcus Hogberg as the Ottawa Senators snapped the Isles' three-game winning streak with a 2-0 victory before a crowd of 15,101 at UBS Arena.

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their road trip as they clash with the New York Islanders. Any win or overtime loss will extend the Blue Jackets’ point streak to eight straight games. Since I last wrote,

The game against the Rangers kicked off a stretch of eight games out of nine away from home, which continues tonight just a little to the east as the Blue Jackets take on the Islanders. Defenseman Damon Severson said the team wants to keep playing that tighter style on the road as the Jackets try to rack up points.