The Upshot: The NY Islanders Surrender Crucial Point in OT Win against Flyers

HOW IT HAPPENED

The NY Islanders were seconds from a massive two points and coming within striking distance of the Philadelphia Flyers for the second Wild Card position. The Isles found themselves down in the first period but fought back to take a 2-1 lead with goals 18 seconds apart from Matt Martin and Bo Horvat. John Tortorella pulled goaltender Samuel Ersson after the first intermission, inserting 6'7" goaltender Ivan Fedotov for his first NHL appearance. The Isles struggled to find holes in the massive Russians game but went into the final period with a 3-2 lead. Both points were there for taking, but another collapse in the final moments saw Morgan Frost tie the game at three with under 10 seconds remaining. In the extra frame we went where Brock Nelson ended the game off a feed from Kyle Palmieri, but there seemed to be subdued celebrations after surrendering a massive point

WHAT WENT RIGHT

The Islanders struck quickly against Ersson and maintained a lead for most of the game. Semyon Varlamov allowed two goals off deep shots on the rush but played a solid game for the most part. In a period that the Islanders have struggled all season, they outshot the Flyers 17-3 but only managed to get one goal by Fedotov in his first NHL period.

WHAT WENT WRONG

The Isles couldn't close the door again, surrendering a crucial point to the Flyers in their playoff push. The third period was the opposite of the second, as the Isles were outshot 19-3. Frost's goal appeared to be the final straw, but the Islanders still have their heads above water as they were the the team to leave with two points.

STATS OF THE GAME

• The Islanders had two players reach the 30-goal plateau tonight in Horvat and Nelson

• It is the first time the Islanders have had two 30-goal scorers in the same season since 2017-18 when Anders Lee scored 40 and John Tavares finished with 37.

• Mat Barzal recorded his 52nd assist of the season, just 11 off his career high

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

Fedotov, still unsure of the the ways of the NHL, went to the wrong goal for the start of OT and had to be given the boot by his fellow countryman.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Isles will take on Connor Bedard for the first time as they host the Chicago Blackhawks tomorrow night at UBS Arena for a 7:30 puck drop.