The Upshot: The NY Islanders With a Horrific Effort in 4-1 Loss to the Carolina Hurricanes

With their loss at UBS Arena tonight, the NY Islanders have split the season series against the Carolina Hurricanes, despite chasing a playoff spot. Tonight was another must-win for the Islanders, and yet it was one of their worst showings of the season. With the Detroit Red Wings overtime win tonight, the Islanders now sit three points back of the second Eastern wild card spot, and two points behind the Washington Capitals for third in the WC race.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hurricanes came out the gate ready, their legs were moving and they were fast during the first period. The Islanders... not so much. ESPN announcer Kevin Weeks noted that the Islanders needed to turn on the espresso machine in the locker room during the first intermission if they wanted a fighting chance at winning this game.

Seth Jarvis struck first, not once but twice, getting two goals past Ilya Sorokin in two minutes to give the Hurricanes a 2-0 lead with 5 minutes to play in the first. Jarvis' first goal was one that Sorokin, who has been severely struggling as of late, needs to be stopping but is seemingly letting in consistently. Just a soft lob toward the net that Sorokin completely misplayed and failed to stop. The Islanders played a stronger first five minutes than they have in their 5-game losing streak, but it seemed like all the wind was knocked out of them after Jarvis' first goal. The Hurricanes continues to pound on the Islanders, and were able to net another before the end of the first. Martin Necas scored his 22nd of the season on the powerplay to make it 3-0 Hurricanes. The Islanders couldn't seem to shake the loser bug for the second period and played another slow, unmotivated and dispassionate period. Miraculously, the Isles were able to keep the Canes off the scoreboard for the second. In the third, the Isles got a boost of energy a little too late, and Kyle Palmieri was able to bank one in off a misplayed rebound by Pyotr Kochetkov to make it 3-1. Even though there was no chance of a comeback, with Sorokin pulled, newly traded Jake Guentzel scored the insurance empty netter to solidify the Canes 4-1 victory.

WHAT WENT RIGHT

Not much. Game recaps are starting to sound like a broken record during this 5-game losing streak. Despite not maintianing it for long, the Islanders did come out of the gate with a bit of pressure on the Canes. They got a few shots on Kochetkov early on, but couldnt connect many passes for dangerous plays. Obviously that pressure and fast play didn't last long and the Islanders went back to being a bad team to watch.

WHAT WENT WRONG

They were outshot, out skated, out bodied, just completely out played in every aspect of the game. This team has some mental block going on, and nothing seems to get through to them. No passes were connecting, it seemed like there was no communication and the issues in the neutral zone need to be figured out or this team is going to get swept if they even make it to the playoffs. The Carolina back end is good, but the Islanders couldn't get a single clean zone entry through, especially on the power play. The Isles were 0/2 on the man advantage tonight, which seems to be looking worse and worse with every game played. That continues to the trend of no communication, bad passes, and just not battling and competing, They're playing lazy and sloppy hockey that's not gonna win them a wild card spot.

The biggest mistake Patrick Roy has made since joining the Islanders was separating Mat Barzal and Bo Horvat. For the past two games, the dynamic duo has been separated between the first and second lines, and despite a solid game against the NY Rangers on Saturday, Horvat and Barzal especially, have been struggling since the separation. All stats point to the fact that the two play better together and the team tends to play better when 1314 is reunited, so lets hope Roy comes to his senses and reunites the two for the rest of the season.

STATS OF THE GAME

Per NHL PR, despite not recording a point in tonight's game, Noah Dobson needs three more assist to become just the second difference defenseman in franchise history to record 60 assist in a season. The first to do so was Denis Potvin, who did it four times.

In their 5 game losing streak the Islanders have been out scored 19-6, per Stefen Rosner

SOCIAL MEDIA MOMENT OF THE GAME

You know it's bad if your star has HAD IT. An eye roll and a broken stick has to be some omen for this season.

WHATS NEXT?

The Islanders are set to take on the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Thursday night as their continue their chase for the playoffs. Puck drop is set for 7pm EST.