NY Islanders lose late third period lead and fall 4-3 to Calgary Flames in OT

The New York Islanders extended their point streak to five games but let an opportunity to earn two points slip in the final minutes of the third period in a 4-3 OT loss to the Calgary Flames on Saturday at UBS Arena. In his 900th career NHL game, Jonathan Huberdeau deflected a shot past Marcus Hogberg with 2:22 remaining to tie the game at 3-3, just 29 seconds after Kyle MacLean gave the Isles a third-period lead. Nazem Kadri scored the game-winner with 1:09 left in the extra session as the Flames won their third straight win.

“These are important games, they’re close and hard-fought games,” Head Coach Patrick Roy said. “It was nice to take a 3-2 lead, but we have to close out those games.”

Long Island native Matt Coronato scored twice for the Flames, and Huberdeau added two assists to go along with his game-tying goal. Rasmus Andersson tallied three assists, and Dan Vladar stopped 26 shots in the win for Calgary, who were playing with MacKenzie Weegar, who was a late scratch.

Noah Dobson and Maxim Tsyplakov recorded two assists for the Islanders, and Hogberg made 31 saves. Marc Gatcomb gave the Islanders a 2-1 lead late in the first, but Coronato struck again early in the second. MacLean put New York ahead 3-2 at 17:09 of the third. Bo Horvat scored again for the Isles after two goals in Thursday night's win over Montreal.

Ryan Pulock had a chance with time winding down in the third period, but Vladar gloved his shot down. In overtime, Anders Lee had an opportunity near the crease but could not corral the puck to direct it into the empty net.“There were some things we could have done better,” Dobson said. “It’s unfortunate we weren’t able to close it out and get that extra point.”

The Islanders continue their homestand on Monday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Face-off is set for 7:30 PM EDT.