The Islanders led 3-2 for the entirety of the third period, up until the last 20 seconds when Cal Clutterbuck failed to clear the puck and it wound up behind Thomas Greiss. Fortunately, Andrew Ladd tipped a Calvin deHaan deflection past Ryan Miller and the Islanders won 4-3.
- New York Islanders: 4 (32-23-11, 75 pts)
- Vancouver Canucks: 3 (28-30-9, 65 pts)
- NHL Final, Box Score
- Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC
The New York Islanders have historically never made wins easy.
From the blowing this year’s home opener’s lead of 2-0 up until tonight’s blown 3-2 lead, Islanders fans are right to have anxiety when they see their team attempting to press down on a one-goal lead deep into the third period.
That’s exactly what blew up in the third period for the Islanders. Cal Clutterbuck just needed to clear a puck out of the zone, but didn’t. Instead, the puck found the stick of Troy Stretcher who was able to tie the game late in the period.
Review
The Islanders were flat out of the gate once again, getting dramatically outshot by the Canucks in the first period early. Thomas Greiss came up with some early saves and John Tavares cashed in on a Josh Bailey feed to make it 1-0 Islanders after the first period.
#GreissGreissBaby #NYIvsVAN pic.twitter.com/weRcFPmHoI
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 10, 2017
Bails and Johnny are on ???! #LGI pic.twitter.com/aebaESMZye
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 10, 2017
In the first three-and-a-half minutes of the second period the Canucks would tie the game with a Reid Boucher goal, and Sven Baertschi would then give the Canucks their only lead of the game. The Islanders mental lapses should be costing them, but good teams find ways to win games.
Anthony Beauvillier came streaking in on a Canucks miscue and did his best Frans Nielsen impression to tie the game back up.
A beauty by @titobeauvi21! #Isles pic.twitter.com/apD7Voj29S
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 10, 2017
As similar as Beau is to Casey Cizikas in terms of playing style, he has soft hands that should be given shootout consideration when the time comes for the Islanders.
In the dying seconds of the second period, Brock Nelson heard my cries to have him benched and decided to stick it to me with a slick deflection off of a Nick Leddy shot to give the Islanders the lead heading into the third period. The goal was initially credited to Leddy, but then re-credited to Brock.
Put it on net, good things happen.
This one has us up 3-2! #Isles pic.twitter.com/q8G1L6Nv33
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 10, 2017
As previously mentioned, the score would hold until Clutterbuck failed an icing and the Canucks tied the game up with just under 20 seconds to spare. Frustrating, no doubt, but the conclusion of the game makes up for it. After successfully maintaining possession, Calvin deHaan fired a shot towards Andrew Ladd who managed to deflect home the GWG and his fifth-career overtime goal.
The hometown boy with the game winner in OT! ? @aladd16 #Isles pic.twitter.com/8t3XmB12TM
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) March 10, 2017
The fact that this one went to OT is frustrating, but the Islanders are a resilient bunch and it didn’t effect them heading into the extra frame. With tonight’s win, the Islanders are 5-2-1 eight games into their nine-game road trip.
They will play the Blues in St. Louis on Saturday to conclude their franchise-record trek. Those still wondering “Is this team under Doug Weight for real?” can put their questions to bed. Having taken 11/16 possible points thus far all during road games is a feat in itself.
