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Halak: ‘One of those nights where everything goes wrong’

Roman Polak, Dion Phaneuf

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak embraces defenseman Dion Phaneuf (3) after Polak scored a goal on New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41), of the Czech Republic, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Uniondale, N.Y., Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

The Associated Press

One bad period. Or, one good period. Depends on your point of view, really.

The New York Islanders imploded with a disastrous second period, allowing four goals to the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-2 loss on Tuesday. After four straight wins to begin the season, the Islanders have now lost twice in a row. Against the Maple Leafs, goalie Jaroslav Halak was pulled after 40 minutes, allowing five goals on just 23 shots.

“Everybody has to be better, starting with me,” Halak told Newsday Long Island. “I need to be better, everybody around the room needs to be better . . . It’s one of those nights where everything goes wrong.”

“We were too easy to play against,” said John Tavares.

There was a scary moment in the second period, when Islanders’ defenseman Thomas Hickey took a skate to the face and had to be taken to the dressing room for immediate attention.

Hickey lost his footing trying to check Mike Santorelli along the boards in the neutral zone. As Santorelli was moving by, his skate came up and caught Hickey in the face.

According to Arthur Staple of Newsday Long Island, the number of stitches Hickey received was “too many to count.”

It doesn’t get any easier for the upstart Islanders. They face the Boston Bruins on the road Thursday.

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