If the Florida Panthers fall short of an Atlantic Division title, they can point to losses like these.
You’d think a stingy team with great goaltending like the Panthers would be able to protect a 2-0 lead in the third period, but that simply wasn’t the case on Monday. Instead, the New York Islanders stormed back for a 3-2 win, and they did so in regulation to boot.
Kyle Okposo kicked off a span in which the Islanders scored three goals in less than six minutes. Josh Bailey made it 2-2 while Cal Clutterbuck ended up notching the clinching tally.
Cal Clutterbuck has the winning moment after fourth GWG this season for @NYIslanders, presented by @Scottrade https://t.co/HZ4AudZeVh
— NBC Sports Hockey (@NBCSportsHockey) March 15, 2016
Scoring that many goals in such a short period of time didn’t exactly involve a barrage of shots, either:
#Isles got three goals on five SOG; now lead #FlaPanthers 3-2 in final minute
— George Richards (@GeorgeRichards) March 15, 2016
There’s still about a month remaining in the regular season, so the Panthers have plenty of time to put this loss behind them. And, for all we know, it could be the sort of thing that serves as a rallying point.
All that said, it sure stings tonight.
.@NYIslanders scored 3 goals in the final 7:10 of regulation to stretch their home point streak to 7 games (6-0-1). pic.twitter.com/wx1MS58xAJ
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2016
.@NYIslanders overcame multi-goal deficit in final 7:10 & won in regulation for 1st time since 01/13/91 @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/rNA5iRHqPg
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) March 15, 2016