The New York Islanders needed a win.
Instead, what transpired in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday had Islanders coach Doug Weight fuming afterward. New York surrendered five goals in 20 minutes and then spent the next two periods trying, and ultimately failing, to even the score in a devastating 6-3 loss.
“What do you say? Nothing. It’s just [expletive],” Weight told Long Island Newsday: “They had four scoring chances in the first and it’s 5-0. Four! Do the math. And it’s absolutely floating, not engaged with anything.”
And, lastly, Weight: "And it’s absolutely floating, not engaged with anything...We worked, but it doesn’t really matter. A piss-poor first."
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) March 31, 2017
The out-of-town score board provided no favors for the Islanders.
The Boston Bruins won. The Tampa Bay Lightning won. The Carolina Hurricanes won.
With six games remaining on their schedule, the Islanders are now six points back of Boston for the final wild card spot in the East. They play the New Jersey Devils on Friday.
“Hopefully playing tomorrow we have that feeling after being embarrassed today and blowing an opportunity to get two points,” said John Tavares, per NHL.com.