The good news for the Islanders is that they haven't been able to extend their lead in the third period recently.
But with that topic at the center, their game in the first period suddenly became an issue.
Tuesday night's 4-0 loss to the Hurricanes was the eighth consecutive game in which the Islanders have allowed a first goal, and it has become almost customary for the Islanders to slowly advance into games while allowing their opponents an advantage. .
Asked if he had an explanation, coach Patrick Roy said, “No.” “But at the same time, we know we want to score the first goal, but when we conceded the first goal, we often found ourselves back in the game. We went into the third period with a tie or a lead. It's great to score the first goal, I agree with you.
The Islanders have allowed the first goal 21 times, the most in the NHL.
This isn't necessarily as game-breaking as a minus-22 goal differential in the third period and overtime, but the two don't create a pretty situation when you combine them.
It's pretty hard to put together a win when the second period, where the Islanders consistently play well, is the only point of the game. In fact, the Islanders won just 12 of their first 33 games after getting the door blown out by the Hurricanes. on Tuesday night.
“We have to finish the first game, I think it's a no-brainer,” captain Anders Lee said after the Islanders trailed 1-0 in the first inning against the Blackhawks on Sunday and tied the game. After that, he immediately gave up and spoke. One more goal before the end of the period. “Recently, opposing teams have gotten their first one. We feel like we're on the back foot. We just have to go out there and chase the first one right away.”
The islanders do not seem to have an explanation as to the exact cause of the energy shortage.
Roy said Sunday that he felt his team was ready at the start of the game, and two days later he dismissed the slow start, saying the Islanders were often in the game in the third period.
Sure, these things sometimes happen by chance, but for the Islanders, the general theme of not being able to put together a complete game has been a constant all season, and for that matter last season as well. I did—the location in question was the first or third period.
Despite their terrible performance as of Wednesday, the standings still give the Islanders a chance as they were three points out of the final playoff spot, but if they don't start winning games it will be short-lived. It will belong to you.
As with the rest of the Eastern Conference teams, relying on other members to keep losing is not a viable strategy.
The Islanders, who haven't been above NHL .500 in nearly two months, could get back to that level by at least Christmas if they win against the Maple Leafs and Sabers in their remaining two games before the holiday break.
That, combined with the possible return of Anthony Duclair, would at least give them something to build towards 2025.
However, being so close to the bottom of the East Division is both a blessing and a curse.
If the Islanders continue to lose, there's a good chance they'll be at or near the bottom of the standings during the holiday period, just five points behind Buffalo, who currently sits in last place.
“We've got to be better. We've got to win games,” Brock Nelson said Tuesday. “We are lucky to still be part of it. None of us are satisfied with the situation we are in. We know we can be better and we want to do better.” I want to be a lot. [better]. I think a big part of it is urgency. ”
