Islanders Skid Reaches Six in 2-1 Loss to Senators

The New York Islanders struggled north of the border falling 2-1 to the Ottawa Senators for their sixth straight defeat.

The Islanders are now 23-22-5.

LINES

Anthony Beauvillier-Mathew Barzal-Casey Cizikas
Anders Lee-Brock Nelson-Kyle Palmieri
Zach Parise-Jean-Gabriel Pageau-Josh Bailey
Matt Martin-Aatu Räty-Simon Holmstrom

Alex Romanov-Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech-Ryan Pulock
Sam Bolduc-Sebasitan Aho

Semyon Varlamov
Ilya Sorokin

SCORING

Shane Pinto put the Ottawa Senators on top with 4:12 left in the first period with a backhand shot. Claude Giroux and Jake Sanderson were credited with the assists.

Claude Giroux notched his second point of the night 3:28 into the second period off a rebound from Varlamov and puts the puck in from the right circle for a power-play goal. Ridley Greig and Jake Sanderson were credited with the assist.

Brock Nelson found the back of the net for the Islanders 16:07 into the second period to make it 2-1 Ottawa. Kyle Palmeri and Sebastian Aho were credited with the assist.

Isles Lose Special Teams

The struggle was real for the Islanders’ special teams unit Wednesday night. The Islanders finished the night 0-for-three on the power play. They gave up a goal in the second period to former Flyers captain Claude Giroux on the penalty kill of a Scott Mayfield delay of game penalty.

Adam Pelech and Kyle Palmieri both took tripping penalties as well, as they each have penalties in two straight games since returning.

Special teams have been the difference between a win and a loss for this Islanders team all season, especially with a banged-up roster. If the Islanders are going to improve, what we saw in Ottawa can’t consistently happen–which it has.

Islanders Win Physicality Battle

Despite the loss, the Islanders did prevail in the hits battle against Ottawa finishing the night with 24 hits. In fact, the Islanders have won the hits battle for the past four games.

Also, Matt Martin dropped the gloves against Austin Watson in the second period to try and provide an energy boost for the Islanders. It didn’t work, but it’s the thought that counts, right?

Bolduc Makes Strides

After making his NHL debut on Monday night, playing 14:28, Samuel Bolduc saw more ice time in Ottawa. He played 18:07 Wednesday night including 2:59 seconds on the top power-play unit. Bolduc also fired two shots on goal and had two hits.

To see Dufour benched for the last 30 minutes of play in his NHL debut, Bolduc knows the pressure is on to compete to stay as long as possible on this New York Islanders roster.

He’s been poised and it’s clear that Lane Lambert is trusting him more to give him added minutes. He’s been one of the Islanders’ best defensemen in his first two NHL games.

Next Up: The New York Islanders will host the Detroit Red Wings Friday night with puck drop set for 7 PM ET.