Romanov leads the Islanders with 75 hits, 6.43 hits per 60, while also leading in blocks per 60, with 6.26, while averaging the third-most minutes at 21:51 per game. With Noah Dobson now out due to injury and with no timetable for his return, Romanov will be heavily relied upon to carry out some of the workload.

Tickles twine and slides apple

Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock also scored, Marcus Hogberg made 18 saves and the Islanders snapped a two-game skid.

Mathew Barzal and Adam Pelech talk about their “obsessive” chess “addiction” as classic board game grows in Isles room

Brock Nelson scored the go-ahead goal about midway through the second period Saturday night as the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 in Elmont, N.Y.

The San Jose Sharks had another disappointing performance as the New York Islanders won 4-1 on Saturday night.

Mathew Barzal ... 4-1 NEW YORK -- Mathew Barzal and Brock Nelson each had a goal and an assist and the New York Islanders beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 Saturday night. Noah Dobson and Ryan Pulock ...

The Islanders have won eight straight Saturday games (six at home and two on the road). The Isles are 14-13-3 in their last 30 games (8-0-0 on Saturday; 6-13-3 on other days). Ten of their last fourteen wins have come on Saturday or Sunday.

The Islanders signed former Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo who could help them on their NHL-worst power play

The New York Islanders have gone streaking in January – they lost three games in a row to start the month, then won three games on their road trip, then lost back-to-back games on Jan.

The Islanders, seven points behind the Bruins for the Eastern Conference’s second wild-card spot, moved within six points of the surging Blue Jackets and improved to 2-2-0 on their seven-game homestand, which continues Friday night against the Flyers.

This was the sort of effort which, if the Islanders could replicate it consistently, makes them look like a playoff contender.