Interim Head Coach Doug Weight suffered his first career loss as bench boss when his team blew a second consecutive 2-0 lead. The New York Islanders were outhustled, outworked and outshot in the 3-2 loss.
- New York Islanders 2 (19-17-9, 47pts)
- Philadelphia Flyers 3 (23-19-6, 52 pts)
- NHL Final, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Different Coach, Same Demons
A familiar script haunted the New York Islanders in their 3-2 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers in overtime on Sunday night.
Weight’s team plan did not pan out as he wanted, despite the Islanders grabbing a 1-0 and then 2-0 lead.
Nick Leddy slammed home a shot that was missed by both John Tavares and Josh Bailey.
.@ledpipe08 gives the #Isles a 1-0 lead! #PHIvsNYI pic.twitter.com/zEYSr66utK
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 23, 2017
Despite being outshot and out-chanced throughout the night the Islanders would find ways to break through.
The Flyers almost always had jump over their opponents, generating a total of 47 shots on goal.
It’s the second time this season the Islanders allow more than 40 SOG at home, the last time it happened was against, yep, the Flyers.
Alan Quine found his way back to the scoresheet with his fourth goal of the season. Shane Prince had a big assist in helping that one get through.
Up ⤴️and ⤵️ over, @AWQuine nets his fourth of the season. #LGI #PHIvsNYI pic.twitter.com/puJmj37FoB
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) January 23, 2017
For the Islanders, that would be it.
The second period would see Wayne Simmonds left alone in front to cut the Isles lead, and Ivan Provorov’s less than two minutes in ties it.
Thomas Greiss‘ shutout streak ended at 154:10.
The Islanders would take several undisciplined penalties in the game, but managed to not surrender a single PP goal.
Despite having 1:40 of zone time in one of their power plays and getting a second one after the first expired, the Islanders did not cash in on their chances as well.
Ryan Strome had a brutal night for the Isles, fanning on several golden opportunities.
Two of those could have tied and won the game respectively.
The Islanders nearly gave up the game when Cal Clutterbuck took a careless tripping penalty in the final three minutes of the third period.
It was another testament to how their opponent was skating circles around them.
In a very back and forth OT, the Islanders shot themselves right in the foot.
After an offensive rush, Tavares did not attempt to change and rather opted to go for one more play. He was attempting to seal the deal himself and it ended up with the puck hemmed into the Islanders zone.
Shayne Gostisbhere slid a pass in front off a wrap around that found Claude Giroux in the slot and the game was over.
Despite a rough game overall, the Islanders are still 3-0-1 in their last four games. On Tuesday things will only get harder as the Islanders face the Columbus Blue Jackets at the Barclays Center.
Expect Weight to make adjustments according to today’s results.
