Third periods across the league yesterday weren't kind to NY Islanders

The NY Islanders' third-period struggles have been their bugaboo for the last two seasons, but since New Year's, the team has changed their fortunes during the final stanza, making it one of their strongest.

In their back-to-back wins against the Florida Panthers and Pittsburgh Penguins, the Isles overcame two-goal deficits in the final period, scoring four goals to take a 4-2 victory in each.

But yesterday, the third period stung the Isles once again, and not just in their own game.

Third period struggles

Kyle MacLean broke a 2-2 deadlock with 2:51 remaining in the game yesterday against the Calgary Flames, looking like the Isles were on their way to two points. But just 29 seconds later, Jonathan Huberdeau deflected a shot past Marcus Hogberg, knotting the game at three. The Isles fell in OT as Nazem Kadri beat Hogberg after a miscommunication between Noah Dobson and Bo Horvat.

Tied with the NY Rangers in points heading into yesterday's matchups, the Isles hated rival hosted the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks dominated the Rangers after two periods, outshooting the Blueshirts 24-6, but the game remained a deadlock at one. Despite allowing just six shots in the final stanza, three of those beat Kevin Lankinen before an empty net goal, as the Rangers stole the victory 5-3.

The Islanders trailed Montreal by two points entering the day as old friends Brock Nelson and Devon Toews were tasked with helping their old team, as the Colorado Avalanche looked to continue their winning ways against the Canadiens.

With a 4-1 advantage midway through the third period, it looked like the Avs would leave Quebec with an easy two points. But the Habs came storming back, scoring three goals in just over four minutes, forcing overtime. Nelson helped take the extra point with the game-winning shootout goal, but the Canadiens managed to steal an important point.

With 13 games remaining, the Isles trail the Canadiens by two points and the Rangers by one, as every point matters from here through the final day of the season.