The New York Islanders fell fate to a similar script on Saturday night losing 5-4 in OT to the Carolina Hurricanes. Despite picking up a point, the Islanders are now behind Carolina in the fight for a playoff spot.
Blue Line Woes
The New York Islanders defense has not been great the past two days.
- New York Islanders 4 (22-18-10, 54 points)
- Carolina Hurricanes 5 (24-20-7, 55 points)
- NHL Final, Boxscore
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Following a similar script as the Detroit game on Friday night, the New York Islanders managed to squeeze a point out but blew another game due to poor defensive coverage.
Despite another spirited offensive effort, the Isles managed to find ways to let some questionable goals past them. After out-shooting the Canes throughout the entirety of the game fortune did not favor the Islanders once more.
Jacob Slaving started the scoring for Carolina, who converted off a fortuitous screen from Thomas Hickey.
Anders Lee tied the game for the Isles just under two minutes later off a great deflection.
Just @leeberr09 in his office. #Isles pic.twitter.com/TGxiUmW8ud
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 5, 2017
Casey Cizikas tipped in a shot from Ryan Strome home and took the lead for the Isles 2:36 into the second.
.@strome18's shot ?@zeeker11's tip ?? #Isles pic.twitter.com/AZx7x7psAO
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 5, 2017
Ron Hainsey tied the score for the Canes and Lee Stempniak took the lead just 1:80 after.
A very wild second period as well as a game, this marks the second straight game the Isles allowed five goals.
Brock Nelson unleashed a wicked wrist shot and tied the game at 3-3. The tie would seemingly carry over into the third…
.@Bnelson with the wicked wrister. #Isles pic.twitter.com/ClImHV8xVo
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 5, 2017
… Until JF Berube completely lost focus at what the thought to be the end of the 2nd period and let in a saveable goal slip right past with 1.1 seconds remaining.
Josh Bailey was dished a slick faceoff win and scored an eerily similar PP goal to the one he scored last week against the Montreal Canadiens.
Josh Bailey ?? ties it! #LGI pic.twitter.com/4OLe2EbFfZ
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) February 5, 2017
The score would remain until the end of regulation, and both teams walked away with a point.
Unfortunately for the Islanders, it would be their only point.
Hainsey won a faceoff after Tavares’ stick snapped, and the Canes were able to capitalize on what was, in all fairness, a three on two.
Despite gaining a point tonight, the Islanders done themselves any favors the past couple of nights.
Detroit was a defensively weak team bailed out by their netminder and the Islanders got the better of Carolina.
The Islanders offense has not at all been an issue.
Even the power play has been more effective, going at about 22% since Weight took control.but the problem of closing games out has resurfaced.
One behavior noted the past two games was how much more loose they seem in their defensive zone.
Forwards have blown coverage, and the defense has done less, well, defending.
Despite some off nights for the Islanders, they remain five points behind Philadelphia for the second wild-card slot.
There’s no time to mourn these losses, it’s back to work come the Leafs Monday night.
