The New York Islanders’ powerplay doomed them yet again with the Winnipeg Jets capitalizing on blown chances and ran away with two points.
- Winnipeg Jets 3 (Jacob Trouba, Adam Lowry, Nikolaj Ehlers)
- New York Islanders 1 (Anders Lee)
- NHL, Final, Box Score
- Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Barry Trotz liked the overall effort from his team, but after two scoreless frames some mental gaffes from the Islanders neutralized a powerplay and swung the momentum in the Jets’ direction.
Butch Goring always says that hockey is a game of mistakes, and the Jets pounced on the Islanders the moment they took their foot off the gas.
Anders Lee led the Isles in the third period with his 10th of the season, his third goal in as many games.
Anders Lee strikes first. His third goal in as many games. 1-0 #Isles. pic.twitter.com/hp0I5ozjMs
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) December 5, 2018
Jacob Trouba tied the game at 3:39 of the third period, and by 4:01 Adam Lowry took the lead for Winnipeg and sealed the game. Though the Islanders have been doing well defensively as of late, their offense is officially in a drought.
The Islanders have scored just a single goal in three of their last four games — they’re now right around the middle of the pack when it comes to offense at 16th overall in the NHL, definitely a far cry from last season’s top-10 finish.
While nearly everyone who follows the organization will gladly have taken a regression in favor of more structured defense (which the Islanders have done), they’re simply far too talented to be struggling as hard as they have been.
Not-so-special teams
Both teams had good looks early on and both Connor Hellebyuck and Thomas Griess battled it out the entire time, but the difference in the game comes primarily from the Islanders’ miserable powerplay.
Those who remember the 2015 playoff series between the Islanders and the Washington Capitals will forever remember the narrative of that series — the Islanders’ powerplay which didn’t generate a single goal.
That year, the Islanders went 0/14 — they are now officially at 0/17 since November 15.
Trotz did put Mathew Barzal back on the top unit, however the reigning Calder Trophy winner finds himself squarely in the middle of a sophomore slump — even if it’s not reflected in his numbers.
#Isles Matt Martin: "One of the lessons learned is we can't let the foot off the gas. Ever."
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) December 5, 2018
Whatever the Islanders decide to do in addressing the powerplay, action has to be taken. With tonight’s loss and the 4-1 downer against the Capitals, the powerplay can be squarely blamed for losing at least a point in each game, likely more.
The Islanders face the Pittsburgh Penguins this Thursday, with the Detroit Red Wings up next on Saturday, both games on the road.
