Good Morning, Islanders Country.
If you closed your eyes with images of the Isles scoring two power-play goals in your head, you may have gone to bed with a cautiously optimistic smile but woke up with an ominous feeling that left you shaking your head after seeing news of another blown lead and a 4-3 OT loss in Vancouver.
This stretch has been a recurring nightmare.
The Isles led for the twelfth time in 15 games, but the only thing good starts have guaranteed is bad finishes. Leading 3-1 in the second, they allowed a power-play goal that sent them to the third with a one-goal lead.
Then Lane Lambert’s undisciplined team took two penalties on the same play leading to a 5-on-3 that allowed Vancouver to tie the game. To their credit, the Isles made a push after the game-tying goal, with Anders Lee coming this close to regaining the lead. The game went to O.T. and although the Isles have been one of the worst shootout teams in recent years, it would be nice to get to one for a change. Quinn Hughes’ breakaway goal didn’t allow for that.
The Islanders have now been outscored a stunningly bad 25-9 after two periods this season (including OT). Specific to the third period, they are -12, and only two teams are worse this season San Jose (-21) and Seattle (-17).
I was struck reading the post-game quotes from Hughes have differently the Canucks room may feel than the Islanders. “We believe in ourselves,” said Hughes. “We think we have a really good team, and I think there was a feeling we were going to win that game.”
Vancouver is a team expecting to find a way to win. The Islanders are searching for a way to win and, for six straight games, have failed to do so.
