Islanders Escape Edmonton With A Point; Set Stage For Successful Trip

The Islanders didn't deserve a point against Edmonton but thanks to Ilya Sorokin and clutch goals from Anders Lee, they got one.

PHOTO: ISLES ON MSGSN

As you are reading this, I am on a flight to Western Canada to meet the team in Vancouver for game two of this five-game road trip.

Their 4-3 overtime loss yesterday to the Edmonton Oilers was one of those games where you thank the hockey gods that Ilya Sorokin was in the crease because he sure stole that one.

That’s why you pay the man the big bucks, for performances like that.

For those of you who didn’t catch the game because of the later start time, here are the highlights:

Bailed out by goaltending, the Islanders need to show better early in Vancouver and provide support for Semyon Varlamov, the expected starter.

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THE SKINNY & ISLANDERS NEWS

Before we get to the Islanders’ escaping Edmonton, here are Islanders news links & “The Skinny” from Eric Hornick (Brendan Burke and Butch Goring’s MSG Networks statistician). The site is updated after each game with incredible statistics and facts.

Hornick Gems: Anders Lee is 3-5-8 in last six games with three multi-point games.

Check out much more at Hornick’s The Skinny: Oilers 4, Isles 3 (OT)

• Islanders Injuries, Their Timeline & Return Eligibility - THN

• Tsyplakov Is A No-Doubt NHLer; Roy On What He Told Newest Islanders Forward In Recruitment Meeting - THN

• The Opportunity That Lies Ahead For Islanders On Tuesday - THN

• 15 Notes About The Islanders Through 15 Games - THN

• Lou Lamoriello & Brian Burke Spill Some Beans About Each Other On NHL Network - THN

• Islanders Prospect Justin Gill Recalled From Worcester To Bridgeport, First AHL Game Upcoming - THN

• The Importance Of Keeping Things Simple Out West For The Islanders - The Elmonters

• Columbus Claims Nashville's Defenseman Dante Fabbro; Why He Wasn't The Answer To Help Islanders Injured Blueline - THN

• Islanders Blow Another Lead, Roy On What They Have To Do To Stop This Trend - THN

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Islanders Erase Two-Goal Deficit In Third But Fall To Edmonton 4-3 In Overtime

The New York Islanders extended their point streak to four games but did so in a losing effort after falling to the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 in overtime.

Leon Draisaitl roofed one glove side on Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin at 1:52 of overtime after the trio of Bo Horvat, Simon Holmstrom, and Ryan Pulock got their energy wiped after a long shift.

Sorokin made 39 saves on 43 shots, keeping the Islanders close and ultimately allowing them to earn a point. 

Stuart Skinner stopped 19 of 22. 

Here's how it happened: 

Read more at The Hockey News.

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Islanders Escape Edmonton With A Point; Set Stage For Successful Trip

The New York Islanders struggled mightily against the Edmonton Oilers to kick off their five-game road trip.

They failed to break out. They failed to possess the puck. Twice, they allowed goals in the opening minute of a period, the second and third.

Connor McDavid scored a goal and had three assists. Leon Draisaitl had two goals.

And yet, they find a way to steal a point, rallying from two goals down in the third to force overtime.

Patrick Roy took the positive approach postgame, citing the resiliency of his team and the importance of notching a point, which extended thier point streak to four games (2-0-2).

“There are nights you're going home and you're pissed off,” Roy said. “There are nights you’re going home and you say, ‘okay, we stole the point.’ And tonight, that was the case.”

Islanders captain Anders Lee, whose two goals evened the score in the third, called it a “good point.”

“That's a big point when you're down 3-1 with a few minutes left and on the road here against a very good hockey team,” Lee said. “It’s unfortunate that we didn't get the second one, but for us to keep it within reach and find a way to get it to OT, it's a good point.”

Lee also made it clear they weren’t at their best, with he and Ryan Pulock praising Ilya Sorokin, who stole them the point.

“Honestly, it's been all year. He’s been spectacular,” Pulock said. “Tonight, he held us in there, and he gave us a chance to get to overtime."

But overtime ended abruptly.

While the Islanders suffered the same fate in two straight games, yesterday’s loss was much different from Saturday’s.

Against the Devils, the Islanders blew a 3-1 lead in the third, allowing the Stefan Noesen tying goal with 40 seconds to play in regulation.

Yesterday, the Islanders played the “Uno Reverse” card, as Brendan Burke said, erasing a 3-1 deficit in the third, which sets the stage for a successful road trip.