Islanders Beat Sabres 3-2 Most call this current month October. Some call it the first month of hockey. The New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/game-recaps/new-york-islanders-buffalo-sabres-3-2-opening-night-ubs] and their fan base call it Brocktober. Brock Nelson [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/brock-nelson-new-york-islanders-stan-fischler-stefen-rosner], the now 32-year-old centerman (happy birthday), has wreaked havoc in the month of October over his career. Heading into 2023-24, Nelson had scored 32 goals with 35 assists in 87 October games over his 10-year NHL career. His teammates are well aware of the October magic. "Brocktober, right?" teammate Matt Martin [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/matt-martin-camp-new-york-islanders-matt-martin-foundation-northwell-ice-center] said when asked if he expects Nelson to get off to strong starts year in and year out. "What I expect from Brock is that he's gonna produce, and he's gonna probably score 30 to 40 goals, and like everyone else, he's going to have ups and downs and a stream where he doesn't score, but I think we all know that he's gonna produce and he's gonna kind of hit those numbers. "Brocktober's fun. He seems to always get off to a good start." Prior to the Islanders' season-opener against the Buffalo Sabres, we caught with Nelson to discuss Brocktober. Like with the Josh Bailey song, a mockery, if you will, due to his early-career struggles, Brocktober started as more of a knock rather than a compliment. "It's pretty funny," Nelson told The Hockey News. "I think some people said I had good months and then slow years, but I think now my answer is that October is the longest month of the year, so take that how you may." Those knocks were fair, as before Barry Trotz [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/barry-trotz-new-york-islanders-2023-nhl-draft-nashville-predators] came to Long Island in 2018, Nelson was a streaky scorer, having those strong months early followed by battles with consistency. But over the last handful of years, Nelson has been able to become that consistent scorer for New York. After scoring over 25 goals in back-to-back seasons under Trotz (2018-19, 2019-29) and then 18 in the shortened 56-game season (26-goal pace), Nelson exploded for 37 goals in 2021-22. Ironically, Nelson got off to a slow start, with just two goals in eight October games to stat the season, with two assists. Nelson parlayed that career year with an All-Star season in 2022-23, scoring 36 goals and earning nine points in nine October games with three goals and six assists. Despite a stronger October, Nelson didn't have a goal as he entered the eighth game of the campaign. "Last year was funny. I didn't score in a few games, and people were a little worried," Nelson said. "But I wasn't concerned." Despite struggling to find twine, Nelson was finding himself in the right spots and was too talented of a player for the goals not to come. Then the floodgates opened. After potting two goals against the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 28, Nelson got hot, scoring a goal in each of the next three games. "Every year, I think everyone wants to get off on the right foot, feeling good. So team-wise, individual-wise, I think they kind of go hand in hand," Nelson said. As we approached the start of the 2023-24 season, the question was how quickly could Nelson find his game? The answer was about six minutes. After linemate Pierre Engvall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/pierre-engvall-new-york-islanders-32-thoughts-podcast-extension] won a board battle against Buffalo Sabres defenseman Connor Clifton, Nelson corraled the puck in the high slot before zipping it past the glove of Sabres' netminder Dylan Levi to give the Islanders an early 1-0 lead Saturday night: "Pierre did a great job using his speed, getting on it, and creating a turnover," Nelson said postgame. "We had a little bit of an odd-man rush, in broken fashion, but I was able to find some space." Nelson, a newly appointed alternate captain, recorded his second point of the night with 1:42 to play in the first, as after a Ryan Pulock [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/features/ryan-pulock-kyle-palmieri-new-york-iislanders-playoffs-game-3] shot produced a rebound, the 11-year pro got off a quick shot, which deflected off Clifton and into the back of the net as the Islanders took a 2-0 lead. It seemed like Nelson's second goal of the game, but it turned out that the shot skimmed off linemate Kyle Palmieri [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/new-york-islanders-power-play-noah-dobson-bo-horvat-kyle-palmieri-lane-lambert]'s skate before ricocheting off Clifton and in: Nelson's line was dangerous the entire night. In 11:04 minutes of five-on-five play, that line was on the ice for 11 of the Islanders' 29 shots, including 12 scoring chances, per NaturalStatrick.com [https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20232024&game=20027&view=limited]. The Islanders top line was the only line with more shots on goal, as Bo Horvat [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders/players/bo-horvat-new-york-islanders-ubs-arena-home-opener#:%7e:text=%22I'm%20really%20excited%20to,to%20be%20a%20part%20of.%22] recorded eight shots to lead New York. Nelson credited his line's success to their plays without the puck on their stick. "I think, a few times, we had some turnovers just like that [first] goal, a couple of plays down low," Nelson said. "In tight spaces, we had some chances. "I thought we had quite a few good looks." Nelson ended his night with a goal and an assist, with three shots on goal in 16:37 minutes in the 3-2 win over the Sabres at UBS Arena. "The building was full of energy, and guys were fired up," Nelson said. I think everyone was feeling good and were looking to get at it." In 88 career October games, Nelson now has 33 goals with 36 assists and a career-high 17.7 shooting percentage. Since finding his game in 2018, Nelson has scored 15 goals with 15 assists in 38 October games. One October game so far. One goal. One assist. Nelson and the Islanders play another seven games before Brocktober comes to a close, with their next game this Tuesday when the Islanders host the Arizona Coyotes at 7:30 PM.
