Isles enjoy happy homecoming at Barclays
Tavares, Okposo Spark New York to 5-2 Victory over Arizona
After an impressive West Coast swing, John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and the rest of the New York Islanders made the most of their first game back in Downtown Brooklyn since the Sunday before last, cruising to a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes Monday night in front of 11,841 fans at Barclays Center.
Tavares, whose bobblehead doll giveaway was all the rage on the corners of Atlantic and Flatbush avenues, commemorated the evening in fine fashion, scoring two goals, including the game-sealing empty-netter, and handing out an assist as the Islanders (10-6-3, 23 points) improved to 3-1 since losing five of their previous six contests.
“It was a good team win. A lot of guys contributed tonight,” said Tavares, who leads New York with nine goals and is well on his way toward being considered for the league’s Hart Trophy (MVP) for the third time in four seasons.