Isles’ skid grows after late collapse
DUCKS 5 ISLANDERS 4
The Islanders started Thursday night lacking urgency. They finished without it, too.
Playing against the lowly Ducks, losers of three straight, the Islanders faceplanted late in the third period before losing in overtime, 5-4, at Barclays Center.
It’s the eighth loss in eleven games for the Islanders as they slowly dip lower in the Metropolitan Division standings.
“We have to exit this from our minds and keep confidence in the room,” head coach Doug Weight said. “In times like this, you need leadership and you need staunch points.”
Two points were within the Islanders’ grasp, but Rickard Rakell pushed the game to overtime when he equalized with the Ducks a man up at 4-4 with little over a minute left in the third period. Then, Hampus Lindholm continued to ruin the Islanders’ night when he finished his hat trick in overtime to sink them.
For John Tavares, who scored twice on the night, a point still meant something. “We missed the playoffs by point last year,” Tavares said. “We’re a minute away from two [points].”
It was surprising to see the Islanders even get in a position to win, considering how poorly they started. They went down 2-0 in the first period with lackadaisical and slow play, posing as a fake threat with just five shots on the Ducks net.
Tavares tied it in the third and then Ladd grabbed the lead at 7:52 before the Islanders’ goaltending, this time Jaroslav Halak, faltered despite his 35 saves.
“[Halak] was fighting for space. He had some emotion today and I liked his battle,” Weight said. “He made some big saves. We take positives in any of that right now.”
Halak’s teammates pointed out that the Islanders’ inconsistent goaltending isn’t the only problem to the team’s slide.
“Everyone wants to point fingers at the goalies,” said winger Josh Bailey, who had three points. “We have to be better in front of them, as well. It’s always a joint effort.”