NY Islanders head coach Patrick Roy explains how Saturday night vs. Habs slipped away

The New York Islanders let a winnable game slip away Saturday night, falling 7-3 to the Montreal Canadiens in a contest head coach Patrick Roy believed turned on a handful of pivotal moments.

“I think it slipped away in the second period when we hit those two posts,” Roy said postgame. “I thought that was a difference in the game and we could have made it like 3-1.”

Instead, the Canadiens seized momentum late in the second. After the Islanders tied the game early in the third, Montreal responded quickly and decisively.

“We tied the game. I think unfortunately it was a bad bounce on that fourth one and from there, I mean, they just took over the game,” Roy said. “When you try to open up a little more, other teams take advantage of it, and that’s exactly what they did.”

That turning point forced the Islanders into a more aggressive posture — one Roy acknowledged was necessary but ultimately costly.

“After they scored that fourth goal, I think we just tried to open up,” he said. “This is a very good rush team… they took advantage of those pocket chances and they scored.”

With the game out of reach late, Roy made the decision to pull starting goaltender Ilya Sorokin, prioritizing the bigger picture.

“The decision to pull him was simple — he’s playing tomorrow,” Roy said. “We have to regroup… tomorrow is a big one.”

Despite the lopsided scoreline, Roy emphasized perspective. The Islanders have been navigating a heavy road stretch and remain in playoff contention.

“On a positive note, if we win tomorrow, we’re seven and three in the last 10 games,” he said.

The Isles will once again try to reset, refocus, and stay composed when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets in a huge game on Sunday night at UBS Arena.