The NY Islanders' winning streak came to an end at seven after losing 6-3 to the Florida Panthers tonight. Jakub Skarek, making his NHL debut, got off to about as poor of a start as imaginable, allowing a goal to Carter Verhaeghe 39 seconds into the game after a blown coverage left the former Islanders prospect alone in front of the goal. Verhaeghe potted his second of the night eight minutes later, as the Islanders were being outplayed in every aspect of the game.
Playing their best hockey in the second period all season, the Islanders fought and clawed their way back into the game. Kyle MacLean pounded home a rebound to cut the deficit in half, followed by a JG Pageau goal on the power play to knot the game at two.
Panthers too much for the Islanders
Released from the penalty box, Marc Gatcomb was sprung on a breakaway but was denied by goaltender Spencer Knight. Seconds later, Adam Pelech slingshotted the puck towards net, deflected by Gatcomb for the second goal of his career, giving the Islanders a one-goal advantage on the defending Stanley Cup Champions.
As the Islanders were controlling play, the Panthers managed two late goals before the second intermission, taking a 4-3 lead into the final stanza.
Verhaeghe essentially put the game out of reach, scoring his third of the night on the man-advantage halfway through the third. Matthew Tkachuk sealed the deal with an empty netter, with under two minutes remaining.
The Isles put up a valiant effort and looked like the better team after the first period. But the constant shuffling of the lineup and being without their most dynamic player Mathew Barzal was just too much to get the best of one of the league's top teams.