The Upshot: NY Islanders fail to earn the extra point; lose 3-2 to Sens in shootout

HOW IT HAPPENED

In his NHL debut, Kevin Mandolese made 46 saves to lift the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2 shootout win over the New York Islanders at UBSA Arena on Tuesday night. The 22-year-old rookie was brought up from the NHL after goaltender Anton Forsberg was injured against Edmonton on Saturday. Ryan Pulock and Brock Nelson scored goals for the Islanders (27-23-7).

For Nelson, he extended his point streak to 11 games with a power-play goal that tied the game in the third period. Ilya Sorokin made 32 saves in defeat. Tim Stutzle and Brady Tkachuk each had a goal and an assist for the Senators (26-24-3). Drake Batherson’s had the game-winner in the shootout.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Per NHL PR, Brock Nelson (7-6—13 in 11 GP) extended his point streak to 11 games. The only Islanders players in the past 20 years with a stretch of at least that length are John Tavares (12 GP in 2011-12) and Josh Bailey(11 GP in 2017-18).

He now has seven goals and six assists during the 11-game point streak.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The power play in overtime and the shootout were abysmal.

The Islanders reportedly practiced their 4-on-3 during the morning skate, and although the traditional 5-on-4 power play has improved (with another goal on Tuesday night), the same four players that couldn't get the job done in Montreal were given the same opportunity versus the Senators and failed to generate a 'Grade-A' chance in two minutes.

As for the shootout, the Islanders have now scored one shootout goal in the four games that have gone to the skills competition. They are 1 for 11. And Ilya Sorokin, as great as he is, has struggled in the shootouts since he came to the NHL. It's hard not to expect any game that gets to shootout to become a loss given the track record over the last two seasons.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per NHL PR, Kevin Mandolese made 46 saves in his NHL debut. Only five other goaltenders in NHL history had as many in their first career appearance (since 1955-56 when shots on goal began being tracked): Laurent Brossoit (49 on April 9, 2015 w/ EDM), Manny Legace (49 on Oct. 21, 1998 w/ LAK), Ken Wregget (48 on Dec. 12, 1983 w/ TOR), Bill Oleschuk (48 on Jan. 23, 1976 w/ KCS) and Marc-Andre Fleury (46 on Oct. 10, 2003 w/ PIT). Of that cohort, only Mandolese and Wregget earned wins.

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Lane Lambert looked as upset in the final seconds of the first period as most Islanders fans did at the end of the game after another disheartening loss.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Islanders have two nights off and return to the ice on Friday night when they host Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins at UBS Arena. Face-off is set for 7:00PM ET.