The New York Islanders dropped another one, 4-3, to the New Jersey Devils and continue to improve their draft position with their fifth loss in their last six games.
The score-chasing New York Islanders lost another close one, this time to the New Jersey Devils.
Tanner Fritz (3), Anthony Beauvillier (19) and Chris Wagner (7) all scored for the Islanders, who came up just short yet again in what can only be described as the best way to lose for the Blue and Orange. John Tavares picked up another assist and his 81st point, Mathew Barzal earned his 59th assist and 79th point and the Islanders bettered their draft position.
Beauvillier potted his 19th goal of the season, inching the sophomore closer to what would be his first-ever 20-goal season. In fact, since returning to the NHL in a 5-4 shootout win over the Devils (in which he scored a goal), Beauvillier has been scoring at an all-new pace.
- Prior to callup: 97 GP, 13 G, 18 A, 32pts, -8
- Since callup: 36 GP, 14 G, 10 A, 24 pts, +8
The math speaks for itself. Beauvillier’s previous scoring pace in a combined full-season stretch came out to 11 goals and 17 assists, good for 28 points and a -6 rating. His new scoring pace puts him at 31 goals. That, coupled with 22 assists would give the youngster 53 points scaled out to a season.
Also, with this loss, the Isles are guaranteed to finish with a losing record.
#TheSkinny on the #Njdevils 4-3 win over the #Isles, as NYI are now assured of finishing below NHL-.500. https://t.co/rUdKuC7fcX #NHLstats #NHL
— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) April 1, 2018
Weight disappointed by Ho-Sang
Laura Albanese of Newsday reported that Doug Weight was upset, but understanding of Josh Ho-Sang’s firm, yet valid criticism of the Islanders brass.
“Sure, it’s eye-opening, and an emotional thing for him,” Weight said. “He wants to be in the NHL. That’s where we want him. We have never singled him out in that fashion . . . There’s not a guy in this organization in the last year and a half that I’ve spent more time with, either. I was disappointed in that.”
From a surface value, the relationship between Ho-Sang and management is at least strained. It makes one wonder how this has progressed throughout the season, especially with Ho-Sang’s ups and downs throughout the Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ lineup with a couple of scratches as well.
Despite this, it appears that Ho-Sang may have been on his way up regardless, with Staple saying in his column from The Athletic:
“….sources said Ho-Sang played through an injury that likely kept him from being considered for a recall as the Islanders went into their full collapse.”
Lastly, it may not be April 18 but it is Easter Sunday, so happy almost-Easter Epic to the Isles fans that recall that late evening.
