The Islanders kicked off an important mini-homestand with their second loss to the Los Angeles Kings in eight days. This one was closer than the deceptive 5-3 loss in Los Angeles, but it didn’t look headed that way when the Isles fell behind 3-0 in the first period.
That’s the second game in a row they fell behind 3-0, but this time they couldn’t erase the deficit.
Advertisement
[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]
The Kings’ third goal came on a rare consequence/turnover by Matthew Schafer trying to do too much, attempting to get through two players who cut him off in the neutral zone. We haven’t seen that happen too often, which is a big reason he has license to try things, but it was a damaging nail late in the first.
After Patrick Roy restored the top line of Mat Barzal with Bo Horvat and Emil Heineman, Heineman brought them close, with a redirection in the second period and another deflection goal early in the third to provide some hope.
Advertisement
But it wasn’t to be.
The Isles outshot L.A. 11-4 in the third period and had one final offensive zone faceoff opportunity with a few seconds left — 6-on-4 thanks to Scott Laughton comically throwing everything including the kitchen sink to prevent an equalizer with six seconds to go. His two minors there were worth the risk, though had the Isles equalized they would’ve headed to OT with a 4-on-3.
It’s all moot though.
Both teams were 0-3 on the power play, though that was a full six minutes for the Kings (and eight shots) and just over four minutes for the Isles (and two shots) since their final one was with seconds left to go.
Advertisement
The Isles lost with Ilya Sorokin in the crease and will need to produce more in front of David Rittich against one of his former teams tomorrow at home against the Flames. We’ll see what the lineup and lines are for that one; Anthony Duclair and Kyle MacLean remained the scratches tonight. Max Shabanov got a second game in a row in the lineup, but just 7:12 total ice time after all the special teams play.
Kopitar Farewell
This was the last meeting with Anze Kopitar, a sure Hall of Famer who is retiring after the season. His goal moves him one point away from tying Marcel Dionne for the Kings franchise record, so hopefully he gets there and takes the title from an all-time legend who nonetheless carries the distinct Stench of Ranger.
Read the full article here