If you can’t even be competitive against a rival that’s trying to tank…
The New York Islanders, holding on to a “good effort” moral victory after losing to their biggest rival last week at home, somehow came out for the return leg and got shutout on 21 shots.
Surely, finally, after a 4-0 loss to the Rangers this franchise will face the reality of where they are heading into this week’s trade deadline? Surely their direction won’t hang on whether they bounce back Tuesday night against the NHL-leading Jets? Surely five points and six teams back of the second wild card position is enough?
[NHL Gamecenter | Game Summary | Event Summary | Natural Stat Trick]
#Isles Patrick Roy: “I don’t know if I’m disappointed with the effort. I would be disappointed more with the result. I thought both teams were playing pretty much the same after 40 minutes of play. Not many chances on both sides and they had the bounce and we didn’t.”
— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) March 4, 2025
Yeah, the game was closer than 4-0, maybe. The Isles had a goal called off on a coach’s challenge for Casey Cizikas (again?!) being offside long before the zone entry. Shots and chances were low on both sides. The Rangers’ log included an empty netter, and a shot that took a fortunate bounce past Ilya Sorokin.
But that’s all par for the course with the 2024-25 Islanders, who also whiffed on three power play chances to get the lead, tie the score, or get back in the game respectively.
This team can’t even get humane self-euthanasia right — even in lost seasons and late-season descents, you’re supposed to lose to the other teams, then still spank the Rangers!
#Isles Kyle Palmieri on if this loss sends the wrong message to management:
“We’re disappointed in ourselves. And whatever kind of message that that send to whoever it is, we’re the guys in this room that control it.”
— Stefen Rosner (@stefen_rosner) March 4, 2025
Up Next
The Jets visit Tuesday night. The last game in uniform for a few Islanders? Do you even dress /risk injury for the ones who should be on the market?