For the New York Islanders, tonight represented the team's fourth loss in a row.
What bothers me is that the Isles could just as easily have won those games, if not for late-game breakdowns.
Tonight's loss was a bit of a different animal. To say that the Islanders broke down is not really true, because the fact is there was a minute to go, the Caps had pulled their goaltender and were in desperation mode.
A team like Washington is going to score in those types of situations.
Perhaps the argument could be made that had the Isles not lost that faceoff in their own zone, the game would likely have ended shortly thereafter.
However, there are still a couple of issues with that argument. First, even if New York cleared the zone, you don't know what would have transpired during the remainder of the period. Second, that's hockey; you don't win every single faceoff.
The Isles may have lost their lead, but they certainly didn't hand it over to the Capitals.
I actually had a chance to hear portions of the Capitals' broadcast of tonight's game, and I was simply overwhelmed with how much praise their play-by-play and color commentators were giving New York. They constantly referred to the Isles' as a good, young team in the future.
Despite the loss, New York did have a strong game, the major bright spot being the power play. Every pass was tape-to-tape, and you could tell that the young Isles were determined to play a more aggressive style than we've seen from them in a long time.
Nathan Lawson was the best player on the ice for the Isles, making several big stops throughout the entire game,with the exception of those late third period goals.
Despite the losing streak, the league is starting to take notice. The Isles aren't pushovers anymore. They're giving it their all, whether they ultimately finish the season in eight place or eight-hundredth.
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