Streaking Islanders not quite satisfied with success

Lament Poor Play despite Extending Points Streak to Eight Games

December 9, 2015 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Jaroslav Halak made 43 saves and three more during the shootout Tuesday as the Islanders beat the Flyers, 4-3, to extend their season-high points streak to eight games. AP Photo

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Kyle Okposo delivered another clutch shootout goal as the New York Islanders extended their season-high points streak to eight games with Tuesday night’s 4-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in front of 18,808 fans at the Wells Fargo Center.

However, despite the victory, Okposo and his teammates were more dismayed than thrilled by their collective performance, which featured a blown two-goal lead in regulation and getting outshot, 46-26, by the rival Flyers.

“For whatever reason it wasn’t our best game,” said Okposo, who used a nifty move to deke Michal Neuvirth on the winning shootout tally after beating Henrik Lundqvist for a shootout game-winner last week against the Rangers at Barclays Center.

“We just have to move on, take the two points and get ready for Saturday,” added Okposo. “That obviously wasn’t our best and we have to be better than that to win every night in this league. At this point, just take the two points.”

Jaroslav Halak stood tall in net all night, stopping all but three of the Flyers’ shots, not including the three Philadelphia players he stoned during the shootout.

Frans Nielsen tallied twice and Brock Nelson also scored for New York (16-8-5, 37 points), which improved to 6-0-2 over its last eight contests despite squandering a 3-1 second-period advantage and having its net peppered by Philadelphia throughout the evening.

“It was an uncharacteristic game for us as a team,” ceded Isles defenseman Travis Hamonic. “We just have to let it go. It certainly wasn’t the prettiest game by any means, that’s probably the best way to put it. Put it in the vault and keep going.”

“It was a big two points for us, but we have to play better, we all know that,” added Halak.

Isle Have Another: The Islanders lost F Cal Clutterbuck, a key member of New York’s fourth line, to an upper-body injury during Tuesday’s win. There was no word as to whether Clutterbuck would be available for Saturday night’s game in Columbus … Nielsen’s two goals came on the first shot of both the first and second periods, respectively, Tuesday night … Halak improved to 8-4-3 between the pipes this season.