New York Islanders Insight: Goals, goals and more goals
Oct 30, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; The New York Islanders celebrate after defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Another high scoring contest for the New York Islanders as they scored at least four goals for the third consecutive game. Brock Nelson lifted the Islanders 6-5 for their third OT win of the season.

  • New York Islanders 6 (23-18-10, 56 points)
  • Toronto Maple Leafs 5 (24-17-10, 58 points)
  • NHL Final, Box Score
  • Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

Late Game Heroics

It was another back-and-forth game between two offensively skilled opponents with absolutely no defense in mind.

New York Islanders fans, here’s a little perspective: After seeing a streak where the Isles allowed their fewest number of goals in a week, they’ve let in 15 in the past three.

For the Leafs’ part, things haven’t been much better.

The script for the Islanders last night was nearly identical to what it has been the last two games:

Tie it late, blow it later.

But on Monday night, an extra chapter was written.

Goals on Goals on Goals

This is going to be plentiful, so bear with me for a moment.

Ryan Strome scored off of his own rebound 1:23 into the first period to give the Islanders a quick 1-0 lead.

Halfway through the first, after some good back-to-back chances, Nikita Soshnikov tied the game with a slapshot that beat a partially screened Thomas Greiss.

Frederik Andersen fought off an Islander chance that went just wide, which gave way to a four on two rush the other way, springing an Auston Matthews goal: 2-1 Leafs.

Griess probably wanted it back, but it was 2-1 Leafs 1:24 after they tied the game.

With just under two minutes to go in the first, Nikolay Kulemin deflected a Casey Cizikas shot past Andersen and the period ended with both teams tied at two a piece.

Another offensive period comes to a close as neither team has much focus on defense, and Arthur Staple of Newsday said it best:

Mitch Marner put the Leafs ahead once more in the second with a screen of Nick Leddy and a Leaf in front of Greiss.

On an Islanders power play, Zach Hyman chipped the puck past the Islanders gathered in front of the Toronto net and went off with Leo Komarov on a two on one.

Spoilers: the Leafs scored and short-handed.

With the kid-line reunited, Strome took the puck from Anders Lee who was wrestled in the corner and fed it in front to Nelson, who got his first of the night.

The second period concluded at 4-3.

The Wild Finish

The score held until Josh Bailey tied his career high in points with a 4-4 goal off a deflected Seidenberg shot.

Don’t hold your breath, though, Isles fans.

After Anthony Beauvillier broke his stick, the Isles were essentially down to five on four.

That’s when William Nylander agitated every home fan that has watched the Islanders the past three games.

It was 5-4 Leafs with just 2:01 remaining in the third period when a visibly frustrated Doug Weight called a timeout, assembled his players and mapped out an attack plan for the final minutes.

Andrew Ladd cashed in a key deflection, and with five points in the last five games, tied the contest for New York.

Heading into OT, the arena crowd was visibly nervous knowing their team’s 2-7 overtime record coming into the extra frame wasn’t exactly shining.

But on a two on one, it was Nelson who gave fans the release they wanted getting the Isles within three points of the last playoff spot.

With that, the game was concluded.

The Islanders haven’t been playing much defense at all the past three games, and they are fully aware.

But two points are two points, and at this point in the season, they’ll be thrilled with that.

On the bright side, the offense has been dominant, scoring thirteen goals in the last three games after stretches of inconsistency.

Seeing guys like Ladd, Nelson and Strome get on the score sheet was much needed for them and the team. If the Isles want to get anywhere, they’ll need every point.

The Islanders will play Philadelphia on Thursday, and, hopefully, Weight will make adjustments to prevent goals from going in.

The Flyers powerplay will be key to look out for, and after losing 2-0 to the Blues, they’ll be fired up at home.

Grew up a diehard Islanders and Mets fan based out of Northern New Jersey. Concluding my Broadcast Communications degree at William Paterson University. WP Sportsdesk member, Stan Fischler correspondent, music buff and total Star Wars freak. Follow my social media handles to learn more. Matt Di Giacomo is a Staff Writer for the Islanders on Elite Sports NY. He encourages team discussion. Tweet him @mdigiacESNY and check out his reviews on YouTube.