New York Islanders' Power Play Dooms Them In Loss to Boston
Mar 25, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Boston Bruins center Frank Vatrano (72) celebrates on a goal that would be recalled during the first period against the New York Islanders at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Islanders’ power play doomed them in a crucial loss to the Boston Bruins.

  • New York Islanders 1 (35-26-12, 82 points)
  • Boston Bruins 2 (38-30-6, 82 points)
  • NHL, Final, Box Score
  • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York

When the Islanders and Capitals last met in the postseason, the league’s writers couldn’t stop talking about how the Isles’ power play was holding them back.

And although it’s been two years, the storyline remains the same. For all the praise that interim head coach Doug Weight has garnered in recent weeks, it’s his supposed strength — the man advantage — that has alluded him and his team this entire season.

Coming into Saturday night’s contest, New York’s power play unit ranked a paltry twenty-sixth (15.8 percent) out of 30 teams. It was the same story against Boston, when the Isles went scoreless on six opportunities.

“[We] just didn’t do enough,” head coach Doug Weight said. “Just not moving, didn’t look too desperate.”

It’s impossible to overstate the importance of the power play, especially in the postseason. When every goal is a crucial one, scoring on the man advantage couldn’t be more critical.

Aw, shucks… John Tavares notched the Isles’ sole goal, before Riley Nash netted the equalizer just thirty seconds later.

Of significance… the Isles didn’t record a single even-strength shot during the second period. The Bruins’ eighteen shots were the least by an Islanders opponent in the last thirteen years.

With the loss… the Isles drop to two points behind the Bruins for the final wild card spot, with a game in hand. The Lightning (one point behind) are within striking distance, as well.

Coming up next… the Isles return to Barclays Center to face the Nashville Predators on Monday night.

Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.