Giroux scores go-ahead goal as Senators hold on to beat struggling Islanders

Claude Giroux's game-winning goal Wednesday night likely won't stand out in his mind, but you can bet Ridly Greig will never forget it.

The 20-year-old Greig was making his NHL debut with the Ottawa Senators and Giroux picked up a Greig rebound to score what proved to be the winner against the visiting New York Islanders in a 2-1 victory.

Greig's debut was impressive as he had eight shots on goal, tying the record for most shots on goal in an NHL debut. His defensive game was also impressive.

"His hockey sense is really high," said Senators coach D.J. Smith. "He can skate. He's really competitive. He's a hockey player. He's going to be a real good hockey player, it's just over time is he ready now or not and I'll tell you tonight he was effective."

Greig played alongside Giroux, who he idolized as a child, and Alex DeBrincat and made an immediate impact on his coach and teammates.

"He's fun to play with," said Giroux. "His game is very mature. I remember my first game, mentally I wasn't very there so it's pretty impressive the way he was playing and winning puck battles and we had a good time."

WATCH | Giroux scores decisive goal as Sens edge Islanders:

Giroux's 2nd period go-ahead goal holds up as the Senators defeat Islanders

2 months ago

Duration 0:41

Claude Giroux's second period goal gives Ottawa a 2-1 win over New York Islanders.

Shane Pinto also scored for the Senators (21-23-3), who snapped a two-game losing streak. Anton Forsberg, who stopped 22 shots, was called into action in the second period after starter Cam Talbot, who made 14 saves, left the game with a lower body injury.

The Islanders (23-22-5) continue to struggle as their winless streak reached six games (0-4-2). Brock Nelson scored the lone goal for New York, while Semyon Varlamov stopped 36 shots.

"We battled," said Casey Cizikas. "You can't take that away. We battled hard. We worked. It's just unfortunate. We've got to find a way to win these games. It's definitely tough, but we've got to dig deep. We've just got to find a way."

Trailing by one goal the Islanders pushed hard for the equalizer with Varlamov on the bench, but Forsberg made a couple of big saves to salvage the win.

"I thought we played well," said Forsberg. "I thought we fought hard all game for this team. We just stayed with it the whole game and I think that's the biggest part and I think that's what we have to do moving forward here to get some more wins."

Both teams exchanged goals in the second, but the Islanders were able to finish the period with a bit of momentum.

"I thought as the game went on we started to take the game over a little bit, but we just couldn't find the back of the net," said Islanders coach Lane Lambert."

'It's pretty unreal'

Ottawa took a 2-0 lead with a power-play goal early in the period.

Giroux saw a rebound coming his way and dove to get a shot off and managed to beat Sorokin for his second point of the game. Greig picked up the primary assist on the play.

Having the opportunity to play with Giroux was special, but getting his first NHL point off his goal will definitely be a highlight for a long time.

It was also pretty special for Greig as his father, who was at the game, was celebrating his birthday.

Greig is the son of retired NHL forward Mark Greig who played 125 games for the Hartford Whalers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames and Philadelphia Flyers from 1990-2003.

Ottawa forward Mark Kastelic missed the game with an undisclosed injury.

The Senators head to Toronto to play the Maple Leafs on Friday night.