The New York Islanders' now fully miserable March funk continued Saturday afternoon at Nassau Coliseum with a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks.
The Isles came out flat in the first period but hit the first intermission tied and were given every opportunity to take control of the game in the second. They fell well short. The fans wept.
The home winless streak reached seven. The Ducks clinched a playoff spot, the Isles clinched continued angst: In Pittsburgh, the Penguins came from behind to beat the hapless Coyotes and pull even with the Isles on points.
[ Box | Game Sum | Event Sum | Fancy/Shifts: War-on-Ice - Natural Stat Trick - HockeyStats.ca || Recaps: | Isles | NHL |
Game Highlights
The Isles were outplayed in the early going, and Pat Maroon's goal at 8:23 really brought out the restlessness among fans who'd watched them go winless in their last sixth at home, dating back to last month. But Lubomir Visnovsky appeared to calm things when he tied it at 1-1 with just under three minutes remaining in the first period.
(The primary assist on Visnovsky's goal was Ryan Strome's 32nd of the year, as his quietly fantastic season continues.)
But then the second period happened.
#isles only managed 4 shots on 8 power-play minutes in 2nd, including 1:54 of 5 on 3.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeNewsday) March 28, 2015
Maybe #Isles' worst period of season. Four two-minute penalties by #NHLDucks in the frame, incl. 1:54 of 5-on-3. No goals for, two allowed.
— Pete Jensen (@NHLJensen) March 28, 2015
have you ever seen 16,000 people collectively throw their hands in the air in disgust? i have
— Michael Willhoft (@MichaelWillhoft) March 28, 2015
Despite numerous power plays -- the only four power plays either team got in the game -- the Isles entered the second intermission trailing 3-1 thanks to an early goal by Kyle Palmieri and a late goal by Andrew Cogliano.
The creativity #Isles showed all year just hasn't been there. Even when they create chances they're B's & C's. Very few golden opportunities
— Matt Saidman (@MattSaidman) March 28, 2015
The creativity #Isles showed all year just hasn't been there. Even when they create chances they're B's & C's. Very few golden opportunities
— Matt Saidman (@MattSaidman) March 28, 2015
The third looked little better. Casey Cizikas fetched one late to make it close, but that was all. An uninspiring 1:40 of sixth-attacker time could not produce the elusive equalizer.
Too little, too late. The story of March.