New York Islanders Bottom Six Stun Montreal Canadiens

The New York Islanders wanted six in a row, while scoring didn’t come from the Isles top six, no worries the bottom six put up some points.

Even point-per-games players like New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal and Josh Bailey can’t actually score every night. And when that happens depth in the organization has to step up.

Lats season, the New York Islanders couldn’t count on their bottom six forwards. But this season, that isn’t the case.

Casey Cizikas, Matt Martin, Leo Komarov and Valtteri Filppula already have 18 points combined this season before puck drop.  And they’d add to that total against the Habs. Even if it didn’t result in a victory.

First Period

The first period was all about the New York Islanders bottom six. The same bottom six that earned the Islanders a lot of negativity over the summer.

Through 20 minutes Valtteri Filppula scored one and Casey Cizikas picked up two goals. The second from Cizikas was perhaps the most impressive. He picked up his own rebound of off Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jordie Benn to shoot it passed a desperate Antti Niemi.

Casey Cizikas now has five goals on the season through 13 games. He had seven in 64 games last season.

Second Period

Penalty trouble made it difficult for the Islanders. With three penalties in the second frame the Isles were at a disadvantage. The Canadiens would score on that second power play.

Max Domi scores his eighth of the season on the power play. Last season Domi scored nine goals through 82 games for the Arizona Coyotes, you could say the change of scenery did him some good.

Going into the third period it was 3-2 for the Isles and 23-14 in shots in favor of the Canadiens. The Islanders were firmly outplayed in the second. It didn’t get better in the third.

Third Period

The Canadiens continued to run circles around the New York Islanders in the third period. Just before the half-way mark of the third period the dominant Habs got the equalizing goal they were looking for thanks to Artturi Lehkonen.

As the third progressed the Islanders looked better, as in they actually mounted some form of offense. But that would do it for the third with a score tied at 3-3.

Luckily, the Montreal Canadiens would take a too-many-men penalty with second remaining in regulation. The Isles would start the overtime period 4-on-3.

Overtime/Shootout

Overtime would resolve nothing. The Islanders would get a few looks, but they all came at even strength. The Isles were absolutely terrible on the power play. So to the shootout it went.

It took ten shooters to solve the shootout with Joel Armia wristing one past Thomas Greiss.

The Islanders were clearly the second best team on the ice and managed to get a point out of it thanks to their bottom six. It wasn’t a pretty game for the Islanders.

But then again they still managed to pick up a point in the process. That was the seventh game that the Islanders picked up a point. While they didn’t extend their win streak they’re still pilling up the points.

Three Stars

1. Casey Cizikas: 2 Goals

It was a huge game for Casey Cizikas. With two goals he’s on pace for one heck of a career year. He’s on pace for 57 points.

2. Thomas Greiss: 33 saves, 0.914SV%

Thomas Greiss keeps on stopping rubber. Again, Greiss stopped over 30 shots.

3. Max Domi: 1 Goal, 1 Assist

Domi was the better forward for the Canadiens who ran circles around the Islanders.