Coyotes 2, Islanders 1: Goalless streak snapped, winless streak continues

The biggest story going into this game was the Isles’ goalless streak at a full two games. It would take until the third period for that streak to be snapped, when Anthony Beauvillier tipped Isles debutant Andy Greene’s shot past Antti Raanta. However, another strong Semyon Varlamov performance couldn’t stop the Coyotes from scoring twice, unfortunately too many goals for the Isles to reasonably come back from as the offense never looked dangerous. Lou, please get us some scoring help ASAP.

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First Period

Brock Nelson took a penalty for hooking Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and it looked like Ekman-Larsson would be called for embellishment as well until he appeared to be somewhat shaken up on the play, limping to the bench. The Islanders killed the penalty, and there was a nervy moment where Scott Mayfield blocked a shot off his foot, but he was fine.

Clayton Keller opened the scoring for the Coyotes, his screened shot hit Nick Leddy, and Semyon Varlamov never saw it and barely reacted until the puck was already in the net.

The Isles struggled to connect passes, and the best opportunity came when Mathew Barzal got the puck to Jordan Eberle, who then hit the post.

Second Period

Hitting posts would become a theme, as Devon Toews hit the post and it rebounded weirdly across the goal line, leading Jordan Eberle to think that the puck crossed the line and went in. The play was called no goal on the ice and went to Toronto for review, where it was determined it never crossed the line.

Andy Greene was good defensively in his debut, blocking shots and overall playing the kind of steady game the Isles have missed in Adam Pelech’s absence.

Christian Fischer took a boarding penalty, but the Coyotes killed. Then Devon Toews took a penalty, and Brock Nelson had a shorthanded chance he couldn’t convert. Clayton Keller took a penalty from a somewhat cheap retaliatory shot on Derick Brassard, but again the Coyotes killed it. Nick Leddy also hit the post.

Third Period

Conor Garland made it 2-0 for the Coyotes after an unnecessary icing by the fourth line. Brock Nelson had a breakaway, but Raanta saved it, and it really felt like the goalless streak would continue until..

Anthony Beauvillier broke the Isles’ scoring drought, tipping a shot from Greene past Raanta. After 166 minutes of games, the Isles were finally on the board.

However, it wouldn’t be enough, as the one goal was all the Islanders could muster, and after an unimpressive effort with the extra skater, the Isles fell 2-1.

Up Next

Next, the Isles’ road trip continues as they head to Colorado to play the Avalanche on Wednesday. Maybe they’ll have another forward by then. Or at least the ones we have can score some more goals. Please?