The New York Islanders dropped their second game in a row last night, losing 4-1 to the Los Angeles Kings. Here’s the game recap.
The Kings got the first good chance of the game, as Ryan Pulock made a bad pinch and Tyler Toffoli was able to get a partial breakaway but missed wide on the backhand. It was the Islanders who got on the board first though, when Scott Mayfield’s point shot took a wild bounce and got behind Jonathan Quick, with Derick Brassard right there to tap-in the loose puck.
It only took Los Angeles about a minute to tie it up though, as New York couldn’t get the puck out of their end and Dustin Brown’s shot from the corner fooled Semyon Varlamov, finding room over his shoulder. It looked like it probably ramped up off Ryan Pulock’s stick but that’s not a great goal to be giving up.
In the second period, the Islanders just about got their lead back, as Mathew Barzal stripped the puck from a Kings forward and flew down the wing into Los Angeles’ end, then waited and found Ryan Pulock who rang a shot right off the post. Back at the other end, Semyon Varlamov made some great saves on Austin Wagner, who was left all alone in front of the net after New York once again failed to clear the zone.
The Kings took the lead before the end of the period, when Mike Amadio found Jeff Carter in front of the net with a great slap pass from the point, which Carter deflected to beat Varlamov.
In the third period, Matt Roy extended Los Angeles’ lead to two goals, beating Varlamov with a shot from far out. The puck wasn’t deflected and it didn’t look like he was screened. Again, another goal that can’t go in. Alex Iafallo then added an empty-net goal to seal Los Angeles’ win.
While one goal in two games isn’t going to get you wins, Varlamov also can’t let in two bad goals. He made some good saves in place of those goals but it’s frustrating to see shots like those seen on the first and third goals go in. Just kind of a disappointing game altogether. New York had a hard time getting the puck out of their end at times as well.
I thought Mathew Barzal was by far the Islanders’ best player. He was using his speed to create space and generated more chances than anyone.
The Islanders only picked up one point of six on the West Coast road trip. They’ll be back at home on Saturday, hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets.
OTHERS ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM NOVEMBER
Game Recap (Game 22): NYI @ ANA
Game Recap (Game 21): NYI @ SJS
Game Recap (Game 19): NYI @ PIT
Game Recap (Game 18): NYI vs PHI
Game Recap (Game 16): NYI vs FLA
Game Recap (Game 15): NYI vs PIT
Game Recap (Game 14): NYI vs OTT
Game Recap (Game 13): NYI vs BUF 
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