Game 1 was a missed opportunity for the New York Islanders. The Islanders lost to the Utah Hockey Club 5-4 in overtime. The Islanders did get a “loser point: in game 1, but that was not enough as the team faces a difficult three-game West Coast road trip.
There were some good things. Anthony DuClair and Maxim Tsyplakov both scored goals in their Islanders debuts, and there were a few nice opening day things, like honoring long-time Islanders and fan favorite Josh Bailey. Still, some of the same problems the New York Islanders had last year reappeared.
Signs Of Hope
Despite the game 1 overtime loss, there were a couple of signs of hope for the team. First, the top line of Mat Barzal, Anthony DuClair, and Bo Horvat looked good. DuClair scored a goal in his New York Islanders debut. He was all over the ice and the top line was dominant when they were on the ice.
Second, the second line of Brock Nelson, Kyle Palmieri, and Maxim Tsyplakov also looked good. Tsyplakov scored a goal also in his Islanders debt and had seven hits. It was reasonable to wonder where the toughness on this Martin-less and Clutterbuck-less roster would come from. The young Russian answered that question.
The Islanders did score a Power Play goal in the first period as well. In this first game of the season, the New York Islanders did show some fight. The Islanders came back twice and had leads of 3-2 and 4-3 (and 1-0). This is a good sign because the season is about determination, and the Islanders showed plenty of that in the opening game.
Repeat Problems
There were more than a few problems for the New York Islanders in Game 1. Many of these problems were evident last year too and it is reasonable to wonder if the good coaching of Patrick Roy is having an effect. Some of these problems are listed here, though this list is unfortunately not exhaustive.
First, the New York Islanders allowed two power play goals on two chances to the Utah Hockey Club. The Islanders were the worst team in the National Hockey League (NHL) last season and were the first team in NHL history to make the playoff despite being last in penalty killing. Improving the penalty kill was a focus of coaching in preseason camp, apparently to no avail.
Other Issues For the New York Islanders
The Islanders also blew three leads to the Utah Hockey Club. Blowing leads was a problem last year when the Islanders blew leads spectacularly. That was the case last night as well. The Islanders blew leads of 1-0, 3-2, and 4-3. In blowing that last lead, the Islanders allowed a goal with less than two minutes left, only thirteen seconds after they scored.
The Islanders lost Game 1 in overtime. They did get a point, but losing games in overtime and shootouts was a theme last year. Last year the Islanders lost in overtime or in a shootout sixteen times, they got sixteen so-called, “loser points.” Fourth, and finally, it is important to mention the four-minute power play the Islanders had in the third period of Game 1. The Islanders managed just three shots over that span.
Statistical Summary
Game 1 for the New York Islanders against the Utah Hockey Club was a back-and-forth scoring affair. The Islanders scored first to take a 1-0 lead. Still in the first period the Utah Hockey Club scored to knot the game at 1 heading into the first intermission. In the second period, the Utah Hockey Club scored and they held a 2-1 lead after the second period. Unfortunately, there was a lot of scoring to go.
In the third period, the New York Islanders scored twice to take a 3-2 lead. The Islanders gave up that 3-2 lead to the Utah Hockey Club a mere 45 seconds later, the score was tied at three. Then, with little more than two minutes left, Maxim Tsyplakov scored his first NHL goal to give the Islanders a 4-3 lead. The Utah Hockey Club scored 13 seconds later to send the game to overtime, where they scored to win the game at 2:18.
Conclusion
Losing a point in Game 1 was not optimal for the New York Islanders as they are set to begin a three-game road trip that will test them. On Saturday they play at a tough Dallas team. The Islanders then head to Denver to play the very difficult Colorado Avalanche. Next, the Islanders head to St. Louis for a winnable game against the Blues. They should shoot for three points on this three-game road trip.
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