NY Islanders fall short to Winnipeg Jets 4-3

NY Isles fast start, as Holmstrom is hitting his stride.

The NY Islanders traveled to Winnipeg to face a Jets team that was looking to win their eight consecutive game, and also the best team currently in the NHL. The Islanders were attempting to keep pace in the Wild Card race and came into the game as one of the leagues hottest team, along with the Jets. Simon Holmstrom gave the Islanders the lead just over a minute into the game after Holmstrom stole the puck following a Jets turnover in the Isles zone and made a quick pass to JG Pageau. Pageau entered the zone, dished back to Holmstrom who finished with a power move that caught Jets goalie, Connor Hellebuyck, cheating in his crease. It was a play that showed how far his game has come. It displayed that he has confidence in his game, which has led Isles coach Patrick Roy to play the winger in all situations. It didn't take long for the Jets to counter, as Alex Iafallo even the score just over three minutes later. Iafallo got the puck in his own zone and quickly motored up-ice. Islanders Bo Horvat made an honest attempt to pick up the Jets player, but Iafallo was too much for him and beat Isles goalie, Ilya Sorokin, cleanly to tie the game. The tie was short-lived, as the Islanders 4th line of Marc Gatcomb, Kyle MacLean and Pierre Engvall went to work in the Jets zone. After Gatcomb played a cross-corner pass, the hard forechecking of Engvall and MacLean caused a turnover, with the puck finding the Jets open slot area and an open Gatcomb. It was the third goal in five games for the undrafted rookie out of the hockey hotbed known as UCONN, giving the Isles the lead with eight minutes remaining in the first period.

NY Islanders stumble in 2nd period, but played the only way they could if they wanted to win against leagues top team.

The team from Winnipeg outscored the Islanders in the 2nd period, 3-0, but it wasn't for a lack of effort. It appeared that coach Roy may have given the fans a glimpse of what's to come from this team, with regards to team strategy. Since injuries to three of the top six defensemen forced the Islanders to make some nifty signings, bringing in players more mobile at that position. It was very noticeable that the Isles defense was aggressively pinching more from the point, possibly because now the coach feels he has the pieces in place to play this style of hockey. It was adding to time the Islanders spent in the offensive zone, where the forwards were able to cycle down low and get more pucks back up top and allow the offense to set-up shop in front of the net. This was maybe a reason that the bottom six forwards played better for most of game, it fit better into their style of play. Eventually, the top two lines caught on and had a much better third period. This "new look" strategy, while looking impressive at time, did result in two of the Jets goals. However, with more time to work on it in practice, the Islanders are a better team when they are playing a fast-paced transition style.

Coming up short in the 3rd, a goalie battle that wasn't and Islanders still in the playoff mix.

Heading into the 3rd period, trailing 4-2, the Islanders were given a chance when Kyle Palmieri scored with nine minutes remaining for his 15th of the season. It was a period that saw the Islanders power play rear its' ugly head, going 0-3 in the period, another missed opportunity for the unit. The first two were so bad, that the Jets outshot the Isles while shorthanded. The third chance looked much better with a new look, as recently signed defenseman Adam Boqvist played more like a rover than a blueliner. Boqvist went from point, to the corner, cutting through the crease and ending up in the slot with a great opportunity that Hellebuyck ended up saving. Going into the game, it was supposed to be a low scoring affair, with two of the leagues top goalies playing their best hockey. Sorokin and Hellebuyck both were on a seven-game win streak, with Hellebuyck a contender for the Vezina Trophy for the leagues top netminder. Both played well, but the best save of the night was Hellebuyck robbing Casey Cizikas on the doorstep with an amazing glove save late in the third period to keep the score at 4-3. Even with the loss, the Islanders still are 8-2-0 in their last 10 games and find themselves just four points out of the last playoff spot. With a two week league shutdown following the next game, maybe time can heal some of their wounds, so the fans can be treated to the Islanders best hockey of the season.