LAS VEGAS — Two in a row is no big deal.
But you can believe it means a lot to the islanders.
On the same day, general manager Lou Lamoriello expressed his belief that the Islanders could turn their season around, as the team defeated the NHL's top team, suffering its fifth home loss of the season to the Golden Knights, 4-0. I responded. Margin Thursday.
As it grew in importance, the narrative and symbolic meaning of this story was felt to be much greater than its practical meaning.
Yes, the Islanders kept pace with the pack in the Eastern Conference, with wins for the Blue Jackets and Penguins as well, keeping them five points out of the wild-card spot.
But the Islanders aren't in much of a position to keep an eye on the scoreboard if they can't figure themselves out first.
To do that, they need to play consistently, prove that they can compete with anyone in the league, and build a winning streak that will lead them to the playoffs.
Leaving Las Vegas with two points would be their third straight win all season, but if the Isles can follow that and close out this three-game road trip with a win, it would be a big step in that direction. It will be. Win at Utah State on Saturday.
This was a classic road win.
The Islanders messed up the game, playing low-event physical hockey and stifling a high-powered Golden Knights offense.
Compared to the shot-happy win over the Bruins a few days ago, it was a 180 in terms of entertainment.
The Islanders may have done it to the hilt, but that was belied by the underwhelming final score, which hinted at an advantage.
Of course no one complained.
A win is a win, and a road win against the NHL's best team is a great win, regardless of the details.
The Islanders had just 12 shots in the first 40 minutes, but made the most of their opportunities and took a 3-0 lead heading into the third game.
The first period got off to a slow start, with the Islanders trailing 1-0 at one point, until Tomas Hertl's power-play goal was overturned after Patrick Roy was cited for offside.
The successful penalty kill that followed energized a group that had only two shots on goal through the first 15:07 of the game, as Anders Lee capitalized on a Las Vegas turnover in its own zone to put the Isles ahead at 17 minutes. They led 1-0. 04 mark.
The next two goals came on two chances in the second period, but Knights goaltender Adin Hill had little chance. Matt Barzal sent a pass from the rush to Brock Nelson, ending Brock Nelson's 17-game shutout streak, followed shortly after by Kyle Palmieri. Find one-timer Bo Horvat from the slot.
Goals followed other scoring outbursts this season, but the Islanders were able to close the gap late in the second period, especially with Ilya Sorokin's save on Jack Eichel's pop-up at 15:26. I kept it. It was the night Sorokin earned his second shutout victory of the year.
The lead held and there were no major problems as Casey Cizikas added an empty netter late in the third.
Looking at the big picture, Lamoriello's assertion that the Islanders can still turn things around appears to be based more on hope than anything else.
But if he's right, what happened Thursday could be a milestone in the Islanders' season.
