Rapid Recap: Islanders Abysmal Early, Lose 4-2 to Oilers

The New York Islanders struggled mightily early as they fell 4-2 to the Edmonton Oilers.

The Islanders are now 22-16-2 on the season and go right back at it Friday night against the Calgary Flames.

LINES:

Josh Bailey-Mat Barzal-Casey Cizikas
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Anthony Beauvillier
Zach Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Hudson Fasching
Ross Johnston-Aatu Räty-Matt Martin

Parker Wotherspoon-Ryan Pulock
Alexander Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Sebastian Aho-Noah Dobson

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

GOALS:

Leon Draisaitl gave the Edmonton Oilers a 1-0 lead at 9:26 of the first period as he buried a one-timer on the power play for his 22nd goal of the season. Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins were credited with the assists.

Kailer Yamamoto scored a shorthanded goal at 18:40 of the first as he deked his way to the slot before beating Islanders netminder Ilya Sorokin through the legs for his third goal of the season. McDavid was credited with the lone assist.

Mathew Barzal scored his 11th goal of the season at 4:42 of the second period as he sniped Oilers netminder Jack Campbell glove side to cut the Islanders deficit to 2-1. Josh Bailey and Casey Cizikas were credited with the assists.

Dylan Holloway beat Sorokin through a screen to give the Oilers a 3-1 lead at 15:17 of the third period to give the Oilers a 3-1 lead. Draisaitl was credited with the lone assist.

The Oilers took a 4-1 lead at 15:17 of the second period as Zach Hyman caught Alexander Romanov napping before beating Sorokin on the breakaway with a strong backhand move. Draisaitl and Nugent-Hopkins assisted his 18th goal of the season.

Cal Clutterbuck cut the Islanders deficit to 4-2 with 53 seconds to play in the second as he deflected a Scott Mayfield shot for his fourth of the season. Mayfield was credited with the lone assist.

Another Horrendous Start

If you thought the New York Islanders starts against the Seattle Kraken and the Vancouver Canucks were bad, their performance in the first period against the Edmonton Oilers was horrendous.

Not only were they outshot 18-4 in the first, they took two undisciplined penalties, leading to a power-play goal against.

And after Hudson Fasching drew a penalty late in the period, the Islanders were irresponsible with the puck and allowed a shorthanded marker.

Barzal Extends Goal Streak

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal entered Thursday night’s contest with five goals in his last four games and was riding a four-game goal streak.

Well, with the Islanders down 2-0, Barzal struck again as he sniped Edmonton Oilers netminder Jack Campbell glove side for his 11th goal of the season, extending his goal streak to five games.

Bailey to Barzy and it's 5 straight games with a 🚨 for Mat!! pic.twitter.com/3AcbvFZ7FV

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) January 6, 2023

Clutterbuck Scores in Return

New York Islanders forward Cal Clutterbuck had missed the New York Islanders last seven games but returned to the lineup Thursday night.

And in his return, he scored his fourth goal of the season on a nifty deflection:

Clutterbuck with the deflection to give the #Isles some life. pic.twitter.com/OtQ8wUOpxm

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) January 6, 2023

UP NEXT: The New York Islanders are in Calgary to face the Flames at 9 PM ET at Scotiabank Saddledome.