Among the infamy for the Islanders in Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Golden Knights, Tobias Bjornfot's third-inning RBI single against Matt Martin drew complaints from the visitors after the game.
The Islanders felt that Bjornfoto should have received a five-minute major instead of a two-minute minor for driving Martin into the boards, considering Martin had his back on the play. Ta.
“I thought Marty had his back the whole time,” coach Lane Lambert said. “The players are to blame for it happening, but I don't think Matt Martin would have turned his back on anyone in that situation. I think it was obvious he was changing direction from the beginning.”
The Islanders, already trailing by three points, were unable to score on the ensuing power play.
This reduced the already slim chance of a three-goal comeback in a game where I felt we played well.
“I don't know. I just make plays and they make calls like that,” Martin said after the game. “I thought it came from behind pretty blatantly, but I didn't see it. So, that's what it is.”
Matthew Barzal's goal in the first period on Saturday ended an 11-game stretch without the lamp lit.
Las Vegas goaltender Logan Thompson flicked the ball in and out of the goal, which was initially not called on the ice, but was acknowledged on review after the referee continued playing for several more minutes.
“I was pretty sure it went in,” Barzal said. “I was waiting for the buzzer to go off, but it didn't. Eventually it did. I saw it.”
Despite his recent lack of goals, Barzal is on a three-game scoring streak and has gone the entire season without missing a point in back-to-back games when healthy, according to team statistician Eric Hornig. The other NHLer is Brian Rust.
The Islanders had two prospects on the Team USA world junior team, which defeated Sweden for the gold medal on Friday, in Danny Nelson and Quinn Finley.
Both played in the fourth line and finished the seven-game tournament with two points (one goal, one assist).
The Islanders flew home from Las Vegas on Sunday but did not practice.
