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Rapid Reaction: Islanders Beat Themselves, Lose 5-3 to Avs

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New York Islanders

The New York Islanders, after shutting out the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday, made too many mistakes against the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday and fell by a score of  5-3. The Islanders move to 20-22-8 on the season, 11-14-4 on the road.

ISLANDERS LINES

Parise–Pageau–Palmieri

Bellows–Nelson–Beauvillier

Lee–Bailey–Wahlstrom

Martin–Cizikas–Clutterbuck

Pelech–Mayfield

Greene–Dobson

Aho–Pulock

Sorokin

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nathan Mackinnon gave the Colorado Avalanche an early 1-0 lead as his shot from the slot beat Ilya Sorokin through a screen. His 16th of the season was assisted by Cale Makar and Devon Toews at 3:23 of the first period.

Ryan Pulock, with his first goal of the season, as his wrist shot from the point beat Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper to tie the contest at 1-1.  His goal at 10:03 of the first period was assisted by Zach Parise and Oliver Wahlstrom.

Former Islander defenseman Devon Toews gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead as he beat Sorokin blocker side through a screen from the slot. His 10th of the season at 3:54 of the second period was assisted by Andre Burakovsky and Makar.

The Islanders answered 45 seconds later as Jean-Gabriel Pageau hopped on a loose puck and wired a slapshot from the low slot over the blocker of Kuemper to tie the contest at two. His ninth of the season at 4:39 of the second period was assisted by Parise and Cal Clutterbuck.

Kyle Palmieri gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead at 12:23 of the second period as he buried a rebound for his sixth of the season. Palmieri’s goal was assisted by Andy Green and Pageau.

Colorado Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog tied the contest at three as he banked a shot off of Sorokin and in. His 29th of the season at 4:43 of the third period was assisted by Nazem Kadri and Toews.

Andre Burakovsky gave the Avalanche a 4-3 lead as his shot from inside the right circle deflected off Islanders defenseman Andy Greene and in for his 17th of the season. Kadri with the only assist on Burakovsky’s goal at 12:48 of the third period.

Erik Johnson made it 5-3 as he scored on the empty-netter at 19:17 of the third period. His sixth of the season was unnassited.

Own Mistakes to Blame

The New York Islanders gave up three goals in the contest and all three goals came off individual mistakes. And against a lethal Colorado Avalanche team, you cannot give them more chances.

You have to make them earn it.

Prior to the Avalanche’s first goal, Anders Lee made a soft play along the boards in the Islander zone which led to more zone time for Colorado. Mackinnon was able to capitalize later on the shift.

New York Islanders forward Ross Johnston lost Devon Toews on the Colorado Avalanche’s second goal as he decided to double team Andre Burakovsky with Casey Cizikas. But Burakovsky was able to get the puck to Toews, who had time to pick his spot.

The third goal saw the Islanders make two mistakes, as Scott Mayfield had a chance to clear the puck out while the Islanders were shorthanded but did not. Then Ilya Sorokin did not hug the post as Gabriel Landeskog banked the puck off him and in to tie the contest.

And the fourth goal for the Avalanche, the go-ahead goal, came off a Ryan Pulock defensive zone turnover. With all the time and space to make a smart play, Pulock chips the puck off the boards right to Kadri, who fed Burakovsky before his shot and goal.

That was all she wrote.

Devon Toews Performs Against Former Team

Back on Oct. 12 of 2020, the New York Islanders traded Devon Toews to the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for two second-round picks. Due to the pandemic and the scheduling, this was the first time Toews faced his former team.

Toews ended the night with a goal and two assists in 24:35 TOI.

His assist came on the Avalanche’s first goal of the contest and his goal gave the Avalanche a 2-1 lead in the second period before the Islanders tied the game and took the lead.

Pulock Gets Off The Schneid

New York Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock scored his first goal of the season on Tuesday night. After his initial slapshot sailed high over the Colorado Avalanche net, he decided to go with a softer approach.

His slow snapshot from inside the blue line found its way on goal and got past Avalanche netminder Darcy Kuemper.

Pulock had no goals through 24 games this season. And with his injury, he has been working to get back and find his footing since returning to the lineup on Feb. 1. It has not been easy, but he is slowly but surely finding his game.

This goal should give him a boost of confidence, as he is usually an offensive force for this New York Islanders team.

GAME NOTES

Forward Mathew Barzal (LBI) and defenseman Zdeno Chara (UBI) missed their second straight game on Tuesday. There was no further update on their status.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Jack Johnson skated in career game no. 1,000.

WHAT’S NEXT: The New York Islanders host the Vancouver Canucks Thursday night at 7:30 PM ET at UBS Arena.

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