
With a 4-3 overtime loss to the Vancouver Canucks, what three things can we take away from the New York Islanders performance?
Coming off a ten-day break, the New York Islanders needed to continue the good work they had put in prior to the break. Shaking the rust off wasn’t going to be easy as they welcomed the red hot Vancouver Canucks to town.
While the Isles had practiced before taking the ice against the Canucks, the Pacific Division leaders had played twice over the last week with wins over the St Louis Blues and the San Jose Sharks. With those two wins, the Canuks had won four in a row as they came to Brooklyn for their date with the Islanders.
Putting in a full 60-minute effort with few mistakes would serve them well as they got their game-day legs back under them.
Playing disciplined hockey against the Canucks, who hold the seventh-best power play in the leagues, was going to be a must. An embellishment call on Barzal (while getting tripped by Adam Gaudette) was the only penalty called on the Isles, but with the tripping call to Gaudette, they weren’t shorthanded.
Over 60 minutes, the Islanders only gave up 24 shots against. Thirteen of those shots against came in the second period where the Canuks twice hit the back of the net.
And if not for a late goal in the third-period from Brock Nelson, while the Islanders net was empty, the Isles don’t get a point against the Cancuks.
That point seems like a lame prize, but after ten days away (technically) it’s good to at least get a point. Not to mention it came against a well-oiled machine like the Canucks.
Looking over the win, here are three takeaways from the game.