Eyes On Isles
Fansided

New York Islanders: Four Games That Sunk The Season

By Jacob Seus

Mar 22, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Andrew Ladd (16) leads his team after scoring a goal during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 22, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Islanders left wing Andrew Ladd (16) leads his team after scoring a goal during the third period against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 3, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) checks New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) into the boards during the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 3, 2017; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall (55) checks New York Islanders left wing Anthony Beauvillier (72) into the boards during the second period at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

February 3rd New York Islanders at Detroit Red Wings

This was one of the Islanders final games at Joe Louis Arena. At the time, the Wings were still in the playoff hunt and this was a big game for both sides.

Josh Bailey struck first for the Islanders just four minutes in. The Isles had been extremely hot of late under the reign of new interim head coach Doug Weight. After the Red Wings tied the game, Andrew Ladd would add one of his own and the Isles led 2-1 at the first intermission.

This was only the 11th goal of the season for Ladd, who started a hot streak to end the year with 23. Darren Helm and Anthony Mantha would get the first two goals of the middle period for the Wings.

Down 3-2 the Islanders would call on the captain and John Tavares would answer, trying the goal with under three minutes to play. Henrik Zetterberg would answer right back as the Wings regained the lead. It was an offensive happy game in Detroit, and the Islanders trailed by a goal after two periods of play.

The Islanders had all the chances in the world to tie the game in the third but Peter Mrazek was doing everything in his power to keep the Wings on top.

Finally, at the 17:34 mark of the third Jason Chimera banged home his 11th goal of the season to tie the game at four. This was the 1000th game of the Chimera’s career, and a big goal for his team with his family and friends in attendance. A much-deserved goal for the Islanders and it seemed as if this game was going to overtime.

With 28 seconds to play in the game the Red Wings would win an offensive faceoff. Danny DeKeyser would throw a shot from the point and Greiss was completely screened. He never saw the shot and it whistled right passed him.

It was déjà vu from that Sharks game of late November. The Islanders were down 5-4 and came away with no points in a game that seemed destined for an extra frame. This was a key game for the Islanders to grab AT LEAST one more point. You never know, that could have been the point that kept them out of the playoffs.

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