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.

To call the first half of the season a disappointment for Mathew Barzal would be something of an understatement. He missed six weeks due to injury and — coming off his best season in years — didn’t produce when healthy,

Mathew Barzal scored with 1:25 to play in the third period and also had an assist to lead the New York Islanders to a 2-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday night.