The hope for the Islanders is this is the beginning for Ryan Strome, that his first career NHL point recorded in Friday night’s 5-3 triumph over the Rangers at the Garden can someday be a nice footnote in history.
“Obviously it’s exciting, and to do it in a game with a win is good too,” said Strome, the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft who was playing in the third NHL game of his career since being recalled Dec. 11. “You want to contribute as much as you can, and pitch in, and I feel like we did that.”
It might not have been highlight-reel stuff, but midway through the third period, with the Islanders trailing 3-2, Strome made a nice little backhand pass off the boards to Josh Bailey, who teed up a point shot from Brian Strait that snuck past Henrik Lundqvist.
The play was noteworthy in many ways, as Strome got the second assist, Bailey got his first point in 13 games, and Strait got his first career regular-season goal. (He had his first career goal last season in the playoffs.)
For the Islanders, what Strome represents is a boost to their offensive depth beyond just the top line of John Tavares, Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo.
“For us to have success, we have to get secondary scoring,” coach Jack Capuano said. “Those are usually the teams that win hockey games.”
J.T. Miller made his return to the Rangers lineup, being recalled Thursday to complete his third round trip of the season to and from AHL Hartford.
Miller centered a line with Brad Richards and Benoit Pouliot, and the 20-year-old played 11:22 with just three shifts in the third period.
“J.T. had been playing real well at both ends of the rink,” coach Alain Vigneault said before the game about Miller’s time in Hartford. “They had been using him at center, and after discussing where we were, at this time, that it might be a good time to give him a look.”
With the holiday roster freeze now in effect, Miller will be with the club at least until Dec. 27, when it is lifted. Miller said he wasn’t expecting his most recent demotion, which came Dec. 9, but knows he now has another opportunity to stick.
“Don’t take it as negative all the time, just kind of take the positive out of things and don’t sit back and worry about things that happened previously,” Miller said. “My focus is just on today. Obviously you want to stay, so that’s going to be my goal from here out.”
With the Rangers sending down forward Arron Asham to make room for Miller, winger Taylor Pyatt remained a healthy scratch for the third straight game.
The Islanders got fourth-line winger Casey Cizikas back after he missed the previous two games with a jaw injury. It resulted in Colin McDonald remaining a healthy scratch for the third straight game after playing 17 of the previous 18 before that.
“Where we are in the standings, guys shouldn’t have an excuse when they’re sitting out,” Capuano said before the game. “Colin is an integral part of this team. … I wouldn’t say the odd guy out right now because it’s based on your performance and we’ll continue on a daily basis on who is going to go in and out.”
Rugged winger Eric Boulton played his fifth straight game while Peter Regin was scratched up front. Matt Carkner came in to add some size on defense, replacing diminutive rookie Aaron Ness.