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Good Morning, Islanders Country.
Last night looked and felt different - for 20 minutes.
The first period vs. Toronto was the most encouraging period in a month, and not just because of how the Islanders played but because of who was playing. Adam Pelech was back on the ice, making subtle moves to stimy rushes and send the team on breakouts. Kyle Palmieri returned, too, creating chances and being physical. They looked good! There was a hint of optimism after the first.
But in the second, talent won out. The Isles made mistakes, and the Leafs’ roster possessed the skill to finish time and time and time again. "We let people get in behind us," Lane Lambert said after the game. "They're a fast team; they're a rush team; they're a second-period team that way. We knew that going into that period. We didn't manage it."
No, they most certainly did not.
The Islanders actually finished with a better Corsi For (CF) than the Maple Leafs, matching them in scoring chances (49) and even had the edge in high-danger
