The New York Islanders fell to a record of 1-2 yesterday, losing to the Edmonton Oilers by a score of 5-2. Here's the game recap.
While I'm not a huge Leo Komarov fan, I’ll give credit where it’s due. He created the first goal of the game, knocking down Leon Draisaitl’s pass out of mid-air then finding Anthony Beauvillier alone against Koskinen. Beavuillier made a sweet move to the backhand to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.
Edmonton tied the game on a pretty bad turnover from Derick Brassard, who fed the puck right to James Neal, whose shot from the top of the circle flew by Varlamov. This is another goal where it’s not Varlamov’s fault, though it does look like there’s a bit of a pattern developing with Varlamov having some trouble with mid-range shots. Regardless, the first one’s on Brassard.
Neal scored his second of the game on a power play from a couple feet out at the side of the net. Varlamov wasn’t set for it and it looked like he really wasn’t expecting Neal to shoot.
Anthony Beauvillier came inches from tying it, flying down the wing and putting a shot off the post. In last night’s game especially but throughout the first two games as well, Beauvillier looks like he’s taken a real step forward with his game.
James Neal scored again on the power play on pass from Draisaitl, making it 3-1 Oilers and completing the hat-trick. He wasn’t picked up by Nick Leddy or Ryan Pulock and Varlamov had no chance.
The Oilers’ fourth goal belonged to Zack Kassian, who directed the puck in with his skate right in front of the net. Adam Pelech and Ryan Pulock were both right on him and they can’t let this happen. Varlamov played the shot well enough to force a pass but neither Pelech or Pulock were able to stop Kassian from directing it in.
Thomas Greiss came in after that and gave up a bad one in the third. Neal scored his fourth of the game from almost the goal line on a shot that went right under Greiss. That one has to be stopped.
Noah Dobson did leave New York with one positive, getting the puck at the point, driving down the wing and making a perfect pass to set up Matt Martin with a tap-in goal.
Brock Nelson almost brought the game to 5-3 but it was kicked in and called back.
Obviously it wasn't a great game. New York gave up five power play opportunities and Edmonton capitalized on two of them.
Noah Dobson seemed to get more comfortable as the game went on. He made a great pass to create Martin's goal and had a great rush with about 30 seconds to go in the game, getting by multiple Oilers and setting up Anthony Beauvillier for a good shot. Defensively he looked at bit out of place at times and when he had the puck in his own zone, sometimes it looked like he just wanted it off his stick and it resulted in a few turnovers. Overall though a promising first game.
While Varlamov was pulled I don't think he can really be faulted for many of the goals. Greiss gave up the worst one of the game by far anyways.
The Islanders' next game comes Friday in Carolina.
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OTHER ISLANDERS ARTICLES FROM OCTOBER
Game Recap (Game 2): NYI vs WPG
Game Recap (Game 1): NYI vs WSH
Josh Ho-Sang has requested a trade
Fritz, Hickey and Ho-Sang clear waivers 
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