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Under the dazzling hockey lights, Bo Horvat took center stage as he steered the New York Islanders to a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators on a thrilling Thursday night spectacle. Notching a goal and two assists, Horvat took the lead while Anders Lee, contributing a goal and an assist, backed him up. This marked the Islanders’ third win in a quartet of games.

Varlamov’s 28 Saves Seal The Deal

Oliver Wahlstrom and Jean-Gabriel Pageau also made their mark on the scoreboard, while Semyon Varlamov stood like a rock between the pipes making 28 critical saves. The Senators found their scorers in Nick Jensen and Drake Batherson, who put their names on the score sheet in the final period, with Tim Stutzle providing a pair of assists. Despite Anton Forsberg’s solid 21 saves, the Senators couldn’t quite catch the Islanders.

Wahlstrom and Horvat Deliver Knockout Blows

Wahlstrom’s season-first goal catapulted the Islanders to a 3-0 lead just 2:41 into the third. Jensen responded with his first of the year at 7:43, and Batherson reduced the deficit to one with his sixth of the season with 5:33 remaining. However, Horvat delivered the knockout blow with an empty-netter, sealing the game with just 10 ticks left on the clock.

A frightful moment for the Senators occurred midway through the opening period, when Josh Norris’ shot ricocheted off Ryan Pulock and struck Stutzle squarely on the forehead. Despite this setback, Stutzle was back in action for the following period and played out the rest of the game.

Noteworthy Performances and Moments

Islanders’ Takeaways

The Islanders’ line of Lee, Horvat, and Pageau put on a stellar performance, lighting up the game with their remarkable synergy.

Senators’ Takeaways

On the Senators’ end, defenseman Artem Zub made a welcomed return after a nine-game absence due to a concussion. Partnering with Jake Sanderson, he occupied the top pairing slot.

Game-Changing Instance

A pivotal moment came with just 1:38 left in the second period, when Pageau outplayed Sanderson in a puck duel and went solo to beat Forsberg high on the stick side.

Key Stat

Brady Tkachuk, the Senators’ leading goal scorer with seven goals, saw his five-game point streak come to a halt.

What Lies Ahead

Looking forward, the Islanders are set to welcome New Jersey on Saturday, while the Senators are gearing up for a two-game trip, starting with a visit to Boston. The thrilling face-off between the Islanders and Senators once again underscored the unpredictable and captivating nature of NHL hockey.

James Thornton brings over a decade of sports journalism experience to 21Sports.com. Known for his razor-sharp analysis and passion for the game, James has covered everything from Super Bowls to the Olympics. His deep knowledge of football and ability to break down complex strategies make his articles a must-read for any sports fan. Off the field, James is an avid golfer who enjoys exploring new courses on the weekends.