Islanders' Late Surge Not Enough to Stun Avalanche as Four-Game Win Streak Comes to an End
The New York Islanders had a knack for conjuring up late magic in recent games, but it proved to be their downfall on Sunday night. Their four-game win streak came to an abrupt end with a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Despite playing a solid game that wasn't drastically different from their recent overtime wins in Utah and Las Vegas, the Islanders were unable to capitalize on opportunities. Goalie Ilya Sorokin was up to his usual standards, but it wasn't enough to mask the team's lack of spark off the rush and in the cycle.
The fourth line, which has been a major letdown for most of the season, showed signs of life with Max Shabanov's return from injury. The trio of Shabanov, Cal Ritchie, and Casey Cizikas controlled play and was difficult to defend against, but it wasn't enough to make a difference in the end.
The Islanders had their fair share of chances, including two power plays in the third period, but were unable to capitalize on them. A gift from Martin Necas, who put the puck over the glass with 3:20 left, sealed the deal for the Avalanche.
Scott Wedgewood was outstanding in goal for Colorado, stifling the Islanders' best chances and holding them to just one goal through much of the game. The Avs took advantage of their opponents' inability to generate traffic in front of their goalie, scoring on two goals that were largely the result of the Islanders' inability to create scoring chances.
The loss was a disappointing end to a road trip that still has stops left in Dallas and Detroit. While it's not ideal, the Islanders can take solace in knowing they played a solid game and had some bright spots, such as the play of their defensemen. However, it's back to work for a team that needs to find consistency if they want to make a push for the playoffs.
As one loss goes, this could have been worse, but the NHL is a league where margins are razor-thin, and there is no sliding scale when it comes to wins and losses. The Islanders will need to bounce back quickly from this setback and regroup in order to stay on track.
The New York Islanders had a knack for conjuring up late magic in recent games, but it proved to be their downfall on Sunday night. Their four-game win streak came to an abrupt end with a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche.
Despite playing a solid game that wasn't drastically different from their recent overtime wins in Utah and Las Vegas, the Islanders were unable to capitalize on opportunities. Goalie Ilya Sorokin was up to his usual standards, but it wasn't enough to mask the team's lack of spark off the rush and in the cycle.
The fourth line, which has been a major letdown for most of the season, showed signs of life with Max Shabanov's return from injury. The trio of Shabanov, Cal Ritchie, and Casey Cizikas controlled play and was difficult to defend against, but it wasn't enough to make a difference in the end.
The Islanders had their fair share of chances, including two power plays in the third period, but were unable to capitalize on them. A gift from Martin Necas, who put the puck over the glass with 3:20 left, sealed the deal for the Avalanche.
Scott Wedgewood was outstanding in goal for Colorado, stifling the Islanders' best chances and holding them to just one goal through much of the game. The Avs took advantage of their opponents' inability to generate traffic in front of their goalie, scoring on two goals that were largely the result of the Islanders' inability to create scoring chances.
The loss was a disappointing end to a road trip that still has stops left in Dallas and Detroit. While it's not ideal, the Islanders can take solace in knowing they played a solid game and had some bright spots, such as the play of their defensemen. However, it's back to work for a team that needs to find consistency if they want to make a push for the playoffs.
As one loss goes, this could have been worse, but the NHL is a league where margins are razor-thin, and there is no sliding scale when it comes to wins and losses. The Islanders will need to bounce back quickly from this setback and regroup in order to stay on track.
but ugh that 3:20 mark was a def gift 
necas just put the puck over the glass and scooped it up for them 
scott wedgewood was on fire in goal tho 
his save skills are insane! 
anyhoo, gotta shake off this loss and get back to winning ways 
the defensemen were looking solid though 
hope they can bounce back in dallas and detroit 
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. I was really hoping they'd keep their winning streak going. It's like they have a habit of coming from behind, but not being able to close it out 
. And oh man, Scott Wedgewood was on fire for Colorado! It's like they were the only ones creating chances in there 
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. Still, gotta bounce back from this one ASAP!
They've been playing so well, but can't seem to close out games 
. I know Sorokin was solid in goal, but it's not enough when the forwards just aren't scoring 
. Still gotta feel bad for Wedgewood, he had a monster game 
. Need to pick ourselves up and move on, can't dwell on one loss... but it's hard not to when you see the Avs celebrating 
️. They were so close to beating the Avs, but made a few too many mistakes and Colorado's goalie was all over them 
. It's not the end of the world though - they've been here before and will bounce back soon 
. The defense is looking solid, so that's something to build on 
. I think Scott Wedgewood for CO just stole this one from the Isles...
. But yeah, you can't win 'em all and sometimes you just gotta accept that one 
. The good news is they've got a few more games before their next break and can regroup and come back stronger 
. Those Islanders had that win streak going strong, but then BAM! Avs come out of nowhere and take 'em down. I mean, what's the deal with Sorokin? He's been playing lights out all season, but he just can't seem to get that W. And don't even get me started on that power play in the third period... two chances and zip 
. Something's not right here...
those two and cal ritchie were actually lookin pretty sharp out there. gotta give scott wedgewood credit too, he was on point tonight 
but yeah, cant just have one good game and expect to win all the time...losses sting, but at least they played well? 
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. The fourth line finally showed some signs of life with Shabanov back in the mix, so that's a positive 
. But overall, they need to find consistency if they wanna make a push for the playoffs 
, now they gotta figure out how to keep that momentum going. playoffs are looking like a stretch right about now 
and start gettin' those pucks past Wedgewood 
. how do we handle disappointment and uncertainty? do we let it break us or do we use it as an opportunity to regroup and come back stronger 
and i feel like they did that in the first three games but not this one 
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. IT'S GOING TO BE A TOUGH ROAD TRIP FOR NEW YORK NOW, BUT LIKE THE ARTICLE SAID, THERE'S NO SLIDING SCALE IN THE NHL - YOU GOTTA WIN 'EM ALL