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The New York Islanders failed to build momentum after snapping their losing streak, falling 4-3 to the Nashville Predators tonight.
The Islanders opened the scoring in the first period, as Oliver Wahlstrom found Austin Czarnik with a backdoor pass and Czarnik was able to beat David Rittich. Other than on a Predators' power play, the Islanders didn’t give up many good chances for the majority of the period and things were looking pretty good.
With a little over two minutes to go in the frame, however, Sebastian Aho had a major blunder as Luke Kunin took the puck off him and fed Ryan Johansen for a tap-in. Then just over a minute later, Colton Sissons picked up a rebound alone at the side of the net and put it into the wide open net, giving the Predators the lead heading into the intermission. It was a really disappointing end to a period where the Islanders actually had a very strong defensive effort.
New York had a power play opportunity early in the second period though and took advantage, with Anders Lee kicking the puck up to his stick in front and beating Rittich to tie the game. The teams traded some chances after that but it remained 2-2 after the second period.
Noah Dobson gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead about five minutes into the third period, picking a corner on what seemed like a relatively harmless wrist shot. The Predators would respond later though, as Tanner Jeannot got the puck to Yakov Trenin, who beat Semyon Varlamov.
It looked as though the game was headed to overtime but with just 12 seconds left, Roman Josi threw the puck on net and it was tipped in by Eeli Tolvanen to give the Predators the win.
It’s disappointing that the Islanders weren’t able to build off their win in Ottawa, especially after having a third period lead tonight. While it’s good to see the likes of Anders Lee contributing, the Islanders still managed just 21 shots on goal, which isn’t going to win you many games. There are still so many forwards who have been complete non-factors and until that changes, the Islanders’ fortunes won’t either.
Semyon Varlamov also continues to struggle. He’s allowed four goals in three of his last five starts, despite not facing even 30 shots in a single one of them. When the Islanders have needed a save, he hasn’t been able to provide one.
So New York comes away from the loss with nothing to show for and remain winless at UBS Arena. Their next game comes on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.
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OTHER ARTICLES FROM DECEMBER
Islanders’ losing streak reaches 11 games
Islanders finally snap losing streak with win over Senators
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