Kevin Mandolese made 46 saves in his first career NHL game to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2 shootout win over the New York Islanders at UBS Arena on Tuesday.
The Quebec goalkeeper notably held the fort in front of five shots during a numerical superiority of the Islanders in overtime, before being perfect on three occasions in a shootout. The Blainville native got his chance due to injuries to Anton Forsberg and to Cam Talbot.
“He’s a confident young man,” coach DJ Smith said of Mandolese. He commuted several times. He was in the ECHL at some point this year, but he has enough confidence to come here and that’s the most important thing. He was not frightened by the magnitude of the moment. »
Tim Stützle et Drake Batherson were the only ones to score in the shootout for the Senators (26-24-3), who signed a sixth win in their last seven outings. Stützle and Brady Tkachuk finished the game with a goal and an assist each. The young German has scored 10 points (four goals, six assists) in his last four games.
Video: Mandolese shines on debut, Senators win
Brock Nelson allowed the Islanders (27-23-7) to get at least one point in the standings when he took advantage of a power play to tie it 2-2, with his 22nd goal of the season, at 7:13 of the third period. At the same time, he extended his series of games with at least one point to 11 (seven goals, six assists).
Ryan Pulock scored the other goal for the New York team, which suffered a third loss in a row (0-1-2) and which has still not signed a single shootout victory this season (0-4). Ilya Sorokin stopped 32 shots.
Mandolese became only the third goaltender in history to make at least 45 saves for a victory in his NHL debut, after Ken Wregget with the Toronto Maple Leafs (48 saves on Dec. 8, 1983) and Troy Grosenick with the San Jose Sharks (45 saves on November 16, 2014).
“No matter how many shots I just want to be there for the team and give the chance [aux gars] to win,” maintained Mandolese, who received the famous victory glasses in the locker room after the match.