The NY Islanders lack of overtime success has killed them this season

Hockey fans know that 3-on-3 overtimes have always been a bit of a crapshoot.

That's how they are designed to be with wide-open play, usually creating high-quality chances for both teams in the span of five minutes (if it lasts that long). However, over the years, strategies have evolved, and teams that execute the best are often the benefactors of taking home two points.

The New York Islanders have not been one of those teams for a long time.

The NY Islanders lack of overtime success has killed them this season

After their latest overtime loss, 3-2 to the Florida Panthers on Saturday night, the Isles are back on pace to play 30 overtime games this season, which would tie a record by the 2003-04 Boston Bruins. There were still ties that season, but Boston, who finished with 104 points, lost only seven of the 30 games that were tied after regulation.

Thus far, the Isles have played 18 overtime games and have failed to earn the second point in O.T. or the shootout in 12 games. They have won five (which is tied for the most in the NHL), lost nine in overtime, and are 1-3 in shootouts (the one win at Calgary to end a seven-game winless streak).

Three teams (2014-15 Philadelphia Flyers, 2013-14 NJ Devils, and 2011-12 Florida Panthers) share the record for most overtime or shootout losses in a season with 18. That's certainly within the Islanders' reach, given their current pace. If you're curious, only the 2011-12 Panthers made the playoffs with 94 points.

This is also not a one-year trend for the Isles. According to statistician Eric Hornick, the Isles have won only 16 of the last 42 games decided by an overtime goal (since January 11, 2020).

The Islanders often start the extra session with Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Noah Dobson, but the way their team is constructed, if that trio isn't on the ice, they often aren't a threat to score. Of their five O.T. wins, four of them came on goals by either Barzal or Horvat, with the one exception being JG Pageau's breakaway goal 13 seconds into the come-from-behind win against the Kings.

The Isles desperately need the law of overtime averages to swing in their favor. They've let too many opportunities to earn a second point slip by and can't afford for that to happen with 33 games left to play in the season and being five points out of a playoff spot.

Overtime needs to become their time under Patrick Roy after the All-Star break.