New York Islanders Dreadful Loss 5-0 Against New York Rangers

The New York Islanders drop their first game in nine contests against the New York Rangers in probably the worst manner possible. It wasn’t even close.

After going 8-0-0 against the New York Rangers, the New York Islanders finally lost against their cross town rival. And Henrik Lundqvist wasn’t in net for the Rangers. (Does that count as a win?)

The dominance is over for the New York Islanders. The Rangers, a team that signaled a rebuild just a few months ago, is now the class of the division with three wins in a row.

The Islanders were shut out for the first time this season. A loss against the Rangers is bad enough, being blanked is worse.

First Period

The game got off to the worst possible start to the game. Within 30 seconds and with their first shot on net, the New York Rangers were up 1-0. Filip Chytil continued his blazing start to the year with his fifth goal in five games.

Three minutes later the Rangers would add a second goal with a lucky deflection as Cody MacLeod cuts to the middle of the ice. It was 2-0 Rangers with 3:30 played.

The last time these two teams played the Rangers went up 2-0 5:30 minutes into the first. In that game the Islanders responded a few minutes later. That wasn’t the case this time around.

By the 8:04 mark the Rangers made it 3-0 on the power play.

It wasn’t even halfway through the first period and the Islanders were down by three. Worst possible start.

At least by the end of the period the Islanders started to mount some pressure in the Rangers zone that would result in a power play for the Isles.

Second Period

Too bad the Isles power play is completely inept at the moment. Over their last 31 power play attempts before tonight’s game the Isles have scored four power play goals. That’s a 12.9 percent efficiency.

Of course, the New York Islanders would continue that form and generate absolutely nothing on the man advantage.

At least halfway through the second frame Ross Johnston would try to get some energy into his side by introducing his fists to Cody McLeod. Too bad it did absolutely nothing for the Islanders.

At the 17 minute mark Kevin Hayes would cost in and almost literally walk the puck passed Robin Lehner. No fault to Lehner he was hung out to dry on the play.

Scott Mayfield did little to interfere with the shot and not a single Islander back-checked to challenge the shooter. It was now 4-0 with 20 minutes to play.

Third Period

Chris Kreider would make it 5-0 near the end of the third period. And that was it. The Islanders would give up their second Dougie blowout of the season and were absolutely dreadful doing so.

They generate nothing offensively. They did nothing defensively. They were dreadful.

Three Stars

1. Alexandar Georgiev: 1.00SV%

He stopped all 29 shots the New York Islanders tossed his way. He wasn’t spectacular but he was solid. And that’s all it took to get the shutout.

2. Filip Chytil: 1 Goal

He’s got five goals in his last five games. The Rangers rookie is on fire. His goal was a tad lucky, but then again, in hockey sometimes you create your own luck.

3. Anyone else not wearing Orange and Blue

The New York Islanders were dreadful. The Rangers didn’t need to be spectacular or do anything extraordinary. They simply had to let the Islanders capitulate on themselves and reap the rewards.