The New York Islanders’ season has been characterized by unfortunate outcomes. They faced another tough loss on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre. Despite the defeat, there was a positive aspect: the Islanders managed to hold on to a third-period tie, avoiding another blown lead.
The match progressed into overtime, as both teams played cautiously and neither pressed too hard offensively. The game was set to go to a shootout until an unfortunate turn of events occurred. At 2:39 in overtime, Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki scored the game-winning goal, his 10th of the season, following a rebound that resulted from a lucky bounce off Bo Horvat’s skate after Ilya Sorokin made an initial save.
This unfortunate incident encapsulates the Islanders’ season. They’ve faced challenges from injuries, questionable officiating, and untimely deflections, which have all contributed to their struggles. Regardless of one’s belief in luck, it’s clear that the team hasn’t received favorable breaks. If a few key moments had turned in their favor, their situation could be much different.
During the third period against Montreal, it was evident that the Islanders played with a notable caution, seemingly afraid of making costly errors. This led them to adopt a mindset of playing not to lose, rather than aiming for victory, a strategy that proved detrimental in overtime when they hesitated until an unlucky bounce ended the game.
Although the Islanders secured a point, it wasn’t enough to elevate them from the bottom of the Metro Division. With 25 points after 26 games, they are tied with the Columbus Blue Jackets for last place. However, there’s a silver lining: they are only two points behind the fourth-place New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers. With the Rangers struggling and the Penguins showing inconsistency, the Islanders still have a chance to fight for a playoff berth.
A wildcard spot is within reach, but time is of the essence. The Islanders need to approach their games with urgency until the Christmas break, at which point we’ll see where they stand.
