New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin reacts after giving up a goal to Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (40) reacts after scoring goal past in the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. The Canucks won 5-2. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
NEW YORK (AP) — Filip Hronek and Quinn Hughes scored first-period goals and Casey DeSmith made 17 saves as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the New York Islanders 5-2 on Tuesday to complete a sweep of New York-area teams.
Elias Pettersson, Tyler Myers, and Dakota Joshua also scored for the first-place Canucks, who are on a season-long seven-game road trip. Conor Garland added two assists for Vancouver, winners of four of their last five. The Canucks are 11-2-2 since Dec. 5.
“We are a very resilient team,” coach Rick Tocchet said. “This is the consistency of staying with it.”
DeSmith, in his first season with the Canucks after five seasons with Pittsburgh, improved to 7-3-2. He credited his defense for a stellar effort.
“I can’t say enough good things. They were amazing, taking care of the slot, taking care of the puck,” DeSmith said. “That was probably the best game that I’ve been a part of with how well we broke the puck out. We’re hot right now, and it’s fun to see.”
The Islanders, returning home from a 1-2-1 trip to start 2024, didn’t muster much against the Canucks, who are having a renaissance season under Tocchet after missing the playoffs the last three years.
Brock Nelson scored both goals for New York — on the power play at 11:11 of the second after Vancouver had a 3-0 lead — and at 15:15 of the third. Nelson has a team-leading 19 goals this season.
“They are a good team with one of the best offenses in the league,” Nelson said of the potent Vancouver squad. ”You give them opportunities, they are going to make you pay.”
Hronek opened the scoring with his third goal of the season at 16:25 of the first. Hronek rifled a high shot past…
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