Islanders Website: Has the recap of last night's 4-2 loss to the Rangers.
"When you're tired you don't make the best decisions," said head coach Ted Nolan, noting the team had played three games in four nights. "We'll get some rest and get back to it."
The Islanders took a 2-1 lead, 6:20 into the second period on Drury's power play goal, and did not relinquish the lead. The Rangers scored two power play goals – both in the second period, taking advantage of two turnovers in the Islanders' defensive zone.
"We gave them those two power play goals," said Nolan. "We didn't make them earn the goals. There were two situations where we didn't clear the puck down when we had it. Then they score. Those are a couple of mental things that hopefully can be corrected."
"The biggest thing is our power play," said a frustrated Bill Guerin. "Our power play has failed us for way too long. Things have to change. We're scoring most of our goals even strength. Two even-strength goals a game is pretty good. We put in one or two on the power play and it makes a big difference."
NYI Fan Central Comments:
I know it's five games in seven days, but the Islanders have to finish their chances and make the power play work because they cannot expect to win or get points with two goals a game for eleven games in a row. Andy Hilbert has to score the tying goal and put all the pressure on the Rangers and force them out of their trap.
Islanders did what they they could, hung in and clearly they were tired in the third and did not clear the puck a few times shorthanded in the second. Comrie played with a nice edge to his game and Martinek made a nice play to get him the puck, Guerin cannot hit the net right now. Hunter had a few chances and some hits. Simon's penalties are not helping. Park almost finished but Bergenheim's skills were perfect for tonight's game and would have been my pick over Bates.
Straka's return was a big difference for the Rangers and their team had the extra step, especially after the first period. DiPietro played well but his defense struggled in the second.
If the Islanders were scoring more than two goals a game this would be no big deal, but eleven games in a row, something has to give. The hard work is there, not the goals.
Cannot win them all against the Rangers who finished their chances and deserve high marks for their effort, but this was a winnable game for the Islanders.