New York Islanders Lose Playoff Type Game Against Devils (Highlights)

The New York Islanders again showed that a small lapse in attention can change the outcome of a game. Losing a tight game to the Devils and falling further back of the playoffs was far from ideal.

Congrats to New Jersey Devils Legend Patrick Elias for having his jersey retired. But the ceremony pushed the New York Islanders-Devils game and my bedtime back at least an hour and a half. Seriously though, congrats Elias.

After two back-to-back losses, the Islanders needed this game against the Devils to go their way. They had to execute a for a full 60 minutes for the two points against a divisional rival close in the standings.

The Isles did none of that dropping points for the third time in a row. With Columbus, the Florida Panthers and obviously the Devils winning the chance of playoff hockey is looking increasingly more difficult to imagine.

Yeah, did you forget about the Panthers? You did. We all did. But Luongo and his boys are three points back with a full four games in hand on the Isles. And with a win on Saturday, the Cats are 7-3-0 over their last 10.

Not a Full Effort

The New York Islanders looked alright throughout two-full periods. By the end of the second frame, the Isles were up 1-0 thanks to the Edmonton Oilers…I mean Beauvillier, Barzal and Eberle. So the Edmonton Oilers…

That was the only goal the Islanders would score. They wouldn’t get too many more good opportunities after that. Including two power plays that just couldn’t get anything going.

And then, in the third period, it all came undone. With two goals from Kyle Palmieri, the Isles dropped points for the third straight game.

Hot or Not

Jaroslav Halak was on tonight. He was the Islanders best penalty killer, notably on this play, stopping a Palmieri one-time at the top of the key Ovechkin-style.

Unfortunately, John Tavares didn’t look as good out there. On both goals, John Tavares has to take some form of blame. Whether it be not back-checking hard enough…

or just not doing enough to disrupt Palmieri on the second goal. It wasn’t a banner night for John Tavares.

Next: Islanders No Rental Trade List

The Islanders managed to keep the Devils to under 33 shots but still managed to blow a 1-0 lead going into the third period. Some things never change.