Islanders Get A Point They Don’t Deserve In Shootout Loss

The New York Islanders got a point they didn’t deserve in an ugly shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The final score 3-2

In a game the Islanders led going into the final minute of the third period they only came away with one point, and the didn’t even deserve that one. They were completely outplayed by the Flyers tonight.

The first period was scoreless. Michal Neuvirth didn’t look good at all but the Islanders weren’t getting any quality chances off him anyway.

Travis Konecny got the scoring going, with a goal on a breakaway. Jaroslav Halak made the initial save by getting the glove on it, but gave up a rebound that was easily tapped in.

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That would be a theme tonight, along with penalties. The Islanders turned the puck over entirely too much, with 11 giveaways on the night.

The Islanders would get a chance on the power play, having a 5-3 opportunity as well. John Tavares scored just as the 5-3 expired and the game was tied.

The second period would end with the score tied at one. Nearly 13 minutes into the third Dennis Seidenberg scored his fourth of the season to put the Islanders on top 2-1. Seidenberg, a defenseman, isn’t known for scoring but he’s been finding the back of the net early on this season. He’s been by far the best free agent acquisition so far this year.

The theme of turnovers and penalties became a factor again late into the third period. Casey Cizikas took a high stick penalty and thus put the Flyers on the power play. They pulled Neuvirth to the bench for the two man advantage and were able to score on a Matt Read goal with just 58 seconds left.

Yet again, the Islanders blew a late lead. They realistically had no business winning this game but they had a lead with under a minute to go and couldn’t close the deal. I think we’ve heard this story before.

Must Read: Is Jack Capuano The Right Man For The Job?

Jason Chimera took a penalty in the OT period which led to a pretty wild final two minutes but the penalty kill led by Halak kept the Islanders in this game.

With Frans Nielsen gone I was really interested to see who Jack Capuano would use in the shootout. He ended up going with Cal Clutterbuck, Josh Bailey and John Tavares. They all missed, while Claude Giroux beat Halak with some nifty moves.

Here’s how the shootout ended:

John Tavares is an incredibly gifted hockey player. He does a lot of amazing things on the ice, but he struggles mightily in the shootout. For whatever reason Capuano continuously goes with him in the shootout and the same thing happens every time. He goes in slow, makes a million moves and is easily denied by the goalie.

Next: Islanders Need Discipline

You would think the coach would have to evolve and make an adjustment, but he has yet to. Another terrible performance by the Islanders, but the silver lining is the one point they managed. Don’t let the point fool you, this was a terrible game for the Islanders, and it’s time to be concerned.