Patrick Roy likes what he's seen from his two injured forwards since they've returned, even if they're still trying to find their "A" game.

The Islanders entered Saturday looking to set a season high with a third straight win. Additional injuries to top-six forward Anthony Duclair and defenseman Adam Pelech that forced them to miss significant time during the season’s first half have played a role in the Islanders’ inconsistency, but that's not the sole reason.

Barzal scored the winner against Utah at 18:35 of the third period after helping to set up Brock Nelson’s goal earlier in the period. That extended his point streak to five games (goal, five assists), and he can match his career high of a six-game assist streak on Tuesday.

Finally, a comeback win. Finally, a real winning streak. Finally, some real hope that the Islanders can make a run at this thing. Mathew Barzal, whose parents were in attendance,

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

This summer, general manager Lou Lamoriello went out and signed speedster Anthony Ducliar, Roy's former player with the Quebec Remparts in juniors, to a four-year deal at $2.5 million annually. The plan was for Duclair to bring that speed and, potentially, the missing piece to a Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal 's line.

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.

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.

The New York Islanders suffered their second straight loss, falling 5-3 at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday night at UBS Arena.

Among the underlying symptoms has been an offense that itself has struggled to consistently sustain momentum over the course of games and, more broadly, the 2024-25 season. So, then, how do the Islanders treat the ailment in order to regain traction in the Eastern Conference playoff race while the NHL’s Mar. 7 trade deadline looms overhead?

THROUGH GAMES OF TUESDAY, JAN. 21, 2025

The New York Islanders (18-20-7) play host to the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-17-7) on Monday night on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in UBS Arena. The holiday game features the Islanders coming off a strong 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.