Rapid Recap: Islanders Get Smashed by Predators Early, Lose 5-4

NASHVILLE, TN–The New York Islanders got off to a tremendously bad start against the Nashville Predators, and despite turning things around halfway through the second, they ultimately lost 5-4, snapping their two-game win streak.

The Islanders are now 11-7-0.

LINES:

Zach Parise-Mat Barzal-Oliver Wahlstrom
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Anthony Beauvillier
Ross Johnston-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Kyle Palmieri
Matt Martin-Casey Cizikas-Cal Clutterbuck

Alexander Romanov-Noah Dobson
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Sebastian Aho-Scott Mayfield

Ilya Sorokin
Semyon Varlamov

SCORING

Filip Forsberg gave the Nashville Predators a 1-0 lead at 1:03 of the first period as he went glove side past Sorokin for his sixth goal of the season. Predators captain Roman Josi, and Juuso Parssinen were credited with the assists.

Adam Pelech tied it up at one a-piece 2:43 into the first. Nashville winger Michael McCarron attempted to clear the puck along the boards in his own zone, but turned the puck over to Ryan Pulock. A quick pass across to Pelech led to a quick shot as the puck deflected on its way towards goal off Donte Fabbro and in.

Colton Sissons gave Nashville a 2-1 lead at 8:43 of the first period for his first goal of the season. Cole Smith came in on the left wing and found Sissons standing on Ilya Sorokin’s doorstep, who redirected the puck in. Smith was credited with the assist.

Nino Niederreiter made it 3-1 Predators within the same minute at 9:41 of the first period for his eighth goal of the season. Ryan McDonagh from the blue line found Niederreiter whose shot deflected off Noah Dobson and in. McDonagh and Roman Josi were credited with the assists.

Juuso Parssinen got his second point of the night with a goal at 5:01 of the second period. Momentum started with a Nashville offensive-zone face-off win. A couple of seconds later, Parssinen jumped on a rebound for his second goal this season. Filip Forsberg and Dante Fabbro were credited with the assists.

Cal Clutterbuck scored 15:41 into the second period to make it a 4-2 Nashville game. Adam Pelech had a nifty wrist shot that caught the stick of Clutterbuck in traffic for his second goal of the season. Matt Martin and Adam Pelech were credited with the assist.

Kyle Palmieri brought the Islanders within one by scoring at the 4:32 mark of the third period. Jean-Gabriel Pageau, from under the Predators’ goal line found Palmieri all alone in the slot. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Alexander Romanov were given the assists on Palmieri’s sixth goal of the season.

Juuso Parssinen struck again for his second goal of the night, third point on the night at 9:52 of the third. Josi faked a slap shot from the blue line and sent it over to Parssinen to score on a wrist shot. Mikael Granlund and Roman Josi were credited with the assists.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored at 15:39 of the third period for his third goal of the season to make it a 5-4 game. Lee went between-the-legs before Pageau drilled the puck home from right in front of Saros. Lee and Mat Barzal were credited with the assists.

Pageau on the Power Play! pic.twitter.com/fGx3ZnnF8W

— Isles on MSGSN (@IslesMSGN) November 18, 2022

First Half Blunder

The New York Islanders came out as flat as we have seen so far this season, as bad as they looked against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 20, a 4-1 loss.

They were walked all over by the Nashville Predators, being outshot 18-7. Passes were not crisp, there were too many passengers, and Ilya Sorokin was hung out to dry.

Through two periods Islanders had 17 shots but only had 10 through a period and a half.

Despite the Islanders playing a stronger brand of hockey after the halfway point, the slow start was too much to overcome as the Predators kept on coming.

Josh Bailey Scratched For 2nd Straight game

Very rarely do you see a player making quality money spend time in the scratch house, but New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey found himself a healthy scratch for a second straight game, as he was not dressed for Thursday’s tilt with the Nashville Predators.

Josh Bailey has one year remaining on his contract, a deal that pays $5 million per season.

His future with the team is certainly up in the air now.

Why Bailey Is Healthy Scratch For Islanders Again & What It Means For Future

Untimely Penalties limit Comeback Ability

When the New York Islanders were down 4-2 a goal by Kyle Palmieri put the Islanders within a goal. But a tripping penalty by Scott Mayfield led to a power play goal against, which quickly turned into another two-goal deficit.

But as we have seen this season, the Islanders persevered.

When the Islanders made it a 5-4 game, Mat Barzal took an offensive zone high-sticking penalty, and despite Nashville not scoring, the Islanders were on the kill in the final minutes, and that limited their chances to tie things late.

They did have chances, even a few shorthanded, but they went by the wayside.

Islanders Can’t Contain Roman Josi

Nashville Predators Captain Roman Josi entered the contest against the Islanders with three goals and seven assists.

He left with 11 assists on the season as he dominated Thursday night.

He assisted on three of the first four Predator goals, and then on the eventual game-winner.

There’s a reason why Josi is always towards the top of the point leaderboard amongst defensemen.

Next up: The New York Islanders head to Dallas to take on the Stars Saturday night at 8 PM.