John Tavares and the New York Islanders put up an all-time stinker against Nikita Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.
- New York Islanders 1 (4-6, 8 pts)
- Tampa Bay Lightning 6 (6-4, 10 pts)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
In easily one of the worst games of the past three years, the Islanders embarrassed themselves on national television Tuesday night falling to Tampa 6-1.
Sugar-less Coating
As the title suggests, there’s no dodging this one. That was an ugly, ugly loss that started early and put the Isles to bed after the first half hour of hockey. After getting into a scrum with Ryan Callahan early on, and very questionable calls by the referee, the Islanders found themselves on the PK early on in a bizarre 4-on-3 situation.
Ryan Strome‘s delay of game penalty didn’t help things either and the Lightning quickly found themselves a 1-0 lead. Shortly after a disallowed goal which would have been two consecutive power play goals, Tampa corrected it by scoring another power play goal. Stamkos fired another one a few minutes later and that proved to be the nail in the coffin.
The game went on from there, with Dennis Seidenberg breaking Bishop’s shutout and another three Tampa goals.
Real Talk
Frankly, the Islanders did not even remotely show up for this game tonight. They should have had a fire lit underneath them, playing the team that eliminated them from the playoffs just a few months ago but failed to even look like they remotely cared. The penalty kill went from 95% to under 80% in just a handful of games and the Islanders find themselves as a sub .500 team after the first 10 games.
It is evident now more than ever that something needs to change. Whether it’s improving the league’s worst power play, getting the penalty kill back on track, solidifying the first line or just taking a few minutes to yell at the team this Islanders group is in trouble early on.
Not having a clear starting goaltender, a miserable top line and a lack of scoring depth are all features that should have been addressed in the off-season. It’s up to Ledecky and Malkin to figure out what they’re going to do. It’s time for the new management to show fans they do not tolerate losing.
Cruising all night long. The @TBLightning made things look easy. pic.twitter.com/Ut7t1iDvxO
— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2016
FINAL: @TBLightning (6) – @NYIslanders (1)
Recap: https://t.co/ztLlq5vrjj#TBLvsNYI pic.twitter.com/hiJRTtCXdE— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2016
You could say things are going pretty well for the @TBLightning tonight. #TBLvsNYI pic.twitter.com/qYv1ll5tP4
— NHL (@NHL) November 2, 2016
Two goals. Two assists. First Star.
The one and only Nikita Kucherov. pic.twitter.com/VTDVApCAHO
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) November 2, 2016
How’s that for a bounce back game? #TBLvsNYI
?: https://t.co/0VPJR9Hs7W pic.twitter.com/P1EJ4ElUAr
— #VL4 (@TBLightning) November 2, 2016
Tonight's #TBLvsNYI 3 Stars:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Val
⭐️⭐️ #Stammertime
⭐️ KUUUUUUUUUCH— #VL4 (@TBLightning) November 2, 2016
