If you ever want to see the difference in a battle tested playoff harden team and one looking to become one, it was never more apparent than what happened during the second intermission last night. The Islanders were unable to handle the Kings’ onslaught in the third period and let a 2-0 lead slip away falling to the Kings 3-2. After being outplayed the Kings made adjustments and simply punched the Islanders in the mouth. The Kings physically owned them in the third period which led to the victory.
The Islanders were unable to do anything in the third and two horrible goals were allowed by Kevin Poulin and eventually the Kings grabbed the game with a goal late in regulation. I don’t want to destroy Kevin Poulin today because he was fantastic for much of the game, however when he is not square and set to the shooter, bad things happen. With that being I said I do feel that Poulin should start again tomorrow night as he gives this team the best chance to win hockey games right now.
In my opinion the Islanders were also out coached in the third. The Kings coaching staff made changes and adjustments that Islanders’ head coach Jack Capuano had no answers for. Colin McDonald took an awful and selfish penalty that lead to the game tying goal and it was a hit that may cost him some games as the league will surely look at it.
Michael Grabner and Josh Bailey were not able to add anything offensively again and their struggles have to be a concern. The defense was good for the first two periods, but was unable to handle the Kings attack in the third. To be blunt Andre MacDonald and Travis Hamonic are playing WAY TOO MUCH. Something has to be done about their ice time as they both look worn down late in games.
This was a tough game to stomach as at worst the Isles should have managed at least a point. Kevin Poulin played well enough to win the game but he is still a work in progress as well and you can’t surrender two goals that soft and win on most nights. I will say this though, some nights the hockey gods reward you for hard work and give you those greasy goals. The way the Kings worked in the third period they totally deserve the result that they got. It appears as they simply wanted the game more and when the game was in the balance the Kings simply took it. This is what great teams do.
The Islanders will return to the Coliseum tomorrow night to face off against the Detroit Red Wings. As always for more on all things hockey please follow me on twitter @DanDanNoodles78.