Brooklyn Boro

Islanders not looking postseason-worthy

Lose fourth straight to sink four points back in east playoff race

March 1, 2018 By John Torenli, Sports Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Jaroslav Halak admitted that he and the rest of the Islanders have to be much better if they hope to make the playoffs this season following their fourth consecutive loss in Montreal on Wednesday night. AP photo by David Zalubowski
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The Islanders continued their steady nosedive out of playoff contention Wednesday night in Montreal, suffering a 3-1 loss to the Canadiens in the opener of a home-and-home set before 21,302 fans at the Bell Centre.

Super rookie Mathew Barzal opened the scoring for New York with his 18th goal of the season off assists from Jordan Eberle and Thomas Hickey, but the Isles would not hit the back of the net again, falling to 4-8-2 in their last 14 contests.

“It’s frustrating. The chances were there,” insisted Barzal, who leads all NHL first-year players with 67 points. “That game was winnable.” 

Jaroslav Halak made 23 saves for New York, but goals by Paul Byron, Jonathan Drouin and Nikita Scherbak eluded his grasp, leaving the Isles to lament their latest lackluster effort before taking on the Canadiens again here at Barclays Center on Friday night.

“At the end of the day I think I need to be better for the guys right now,” Halak admitted. “We need every point.”

They certainly do.

Following Wednesday’s loss, the Isles were four points behind Columbus for the coveted eighth and final postseason slot in the Eastern Conference.

“We have to find a way,” Isles defenseman Ryan Pulock said.

“It’s getting to a point here where it’s kind of do-or-die and we have to find a way to get those two points.” 

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