The Islanders just can’t make it easy on themselves on Saturday night, losing to the Sabres 2-0.
After they played strong hockey for a month to vault themselves above the playoff cutline, and with the math in their favor, the exhaustion of the playoff race might be catching up to the Islanders.
“I don’t think we had any thoughts that we were just gonna get handed a playoff spot,” Kyle Palmieri said. “We were gonna have to fight for it.” The late-afternoon contest eventually settled into an airtight match in which neither team could score. That was when Okposo netted the eventual winner, beating Varlamov to the short side on a wrist shot from the lower left circle.There was enough time left for the Islanders to mount a push, but like their offensive effort for much of the night, that push fell short.“I just thought overall, our execution was poor,” coach Lane Lambert said. “Passing, not shooting when we had opportunities to do so. It wasn’t a great game for us execution-wise.
“I don’t know if there was a whole lot of chances throughout the whole game,” Scott Mayfield said, echoing the overriding message in the dressing room after a match in which the Islanders were outshot 35-26. The power play continued to be lacking for the Islanders, who whiffed on two opportunities during the second period as everything from zone entries to passing to timing seemed to be off.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Franklin County under wind advisory for Saturday. How strong will the gusts be?The wind advisory begins at 7 a.m. Saturday and will last until 8 p.m. Saturday.
Read more »
Lindy Ruff blames himself as Devils fail to clinch playoff spot in loss to SabresThe Devils fell to the Sabres, 5-4, on Friday night.
Read more »
Tuch has 2 goals, assist as Sabres beat DevilsNew Jersey entered the night needing one win to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2018.
Read more »
Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck back in business with Identity LineWhat, you thought the Identity Line was done and dusted?
Read more »
Islanders hurt playoff security in disappointing loss to Blue JacketsYou can add Friday’s game to that ever-unpleasant list of games that stands between the Islanders and playoff security.
Read more »
Jenner's OT goal lifts Blue Jackets over IslandersBoone Jenner scored 40 seconds into overtime and the Blue Jackets rallied to beat the Isles on Friday night for their second straight win.
Read more »