New York Islanders Drop One To Detroit Red Wings (Highlights)

The New York Islanders finally played a good first period and followed it up with an even better second period. but still managed to lose the game. For reasons.

For the eighth time on the season, the New York Islanders have allowed five or more goals against. And the third time in the last four games. On a night where the Isles completely outclassed the opposition.

Through the month of December, the New York Islanders haven’t been able to put up a good first period. And finally against the Detroit Red Wings they do. They even score first!

Anders Lee gets his 21st goal of the season, putting him on pace for 50 on the season. Could you imagine having a 50 goal scorer on this team alongside John Tavares?!

But after taking the lead they let in two goals and were down 2-1 after an impressive opening frame. No big deal, there was still another 40 minutes to play. Plenty of time to tie this up.

One Heck of A Second Period

The New York Islanders weren’t having it in the second period. They knew that they should be ahead in the game and in a position to win. They went out to change that. Putting up 23 shots against Petr Mrazek and adding two power-play goals.

And then let it slip away when Anthony Mantha scored on one of the four shots the Red Wings took in the second period. Remember the Isles have 32 shots by the end of the second to the Red Wings ten. But the score was tied 3-3.

There was still 20 minutes to go and after a great period like that, the potential for the Isles to pick up a ‘W’ was possible.

And then the Red Wings added three more goals in the third period. The defence wasn’t clearing any pucks around Greiss, Greiss wasn’t making stops when he should and the forwards couldn’t close out the game that the Isles dominated.

Next: Josh Bailey Is Actually Awesome

The loss doesn’t taint the reports that the New York Islanders will be awarded Belmont tomorrow. There’s no way that a single game could. It would have been nice to get the two points, but like Mark Parrish said in the post-game: “sometimes the game just isn’t nice”.