The New York Islanders didn’t end Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins empty-handed, but the Islanders didn’t get the win.
Despite starting the third period with a 3-0 lead, the Islanders couldn’t keep their outstanding winning streak going. It concluded at 10 consecutive wins, as the Penguins scored three times in the third period (over a span of just 7:10) and then clutch Bryan Rust scored the OT-winner, pushing the Penguins to that 4-3 OT victory.
On one hand, it stinks for the Islanders to lose to a divisional rival in the Penguins, even if Isles fans still have the recent trash-talking point of that first-round sweep. A dazzling Matt Murray save showed how close the Islanders were to making it go to 11.
On the other hand, the Islanders managed to draw a point out of the proceedings, so now they’re 10-0-1 in their last 11 games. If there’s bitterness in seeing it all end beyond regulation - one can almost hear the “they’re still undefeated at real hockey” gripes - three of the Islanders’ first four wins during the streak happened beyond regulation (two in OT, one in a shootout).
It would likely be unfair to put too much blame on Semyon Varlamov for this loss. While the Penguins punctured him late in the game, maybe there was an element of it being a matter of time until Pittsburgh broke through, as they generated a 39-23 shots on goal advantage, and had more SOG in each period.
The Islanders have often controlled quality (high-danger chances) while giving up quantity (shot volume) during that 10-game streak, but the Penguins applied a lot of pressure, taking an 11-6 high-danger chance advantage at 5-on-5, according to Natural Stat Trick.
So ... it has to sting for Barry Trotz to see his defensive system yield a loss after the Islanders built a 3-0 lead, but when the Islanders zoom out, they might see some silver lining.
They also get a chance to avenge this loss. The Islanders will have a home-and-home series (at Pittsburgh on Nov. 19, home on Nov. 21) to get back at the Penguins for ending this historic streak.
If you want to look back at this run, check out PHT’s recent posts on the matter.
MORE ISLANDERS STREAK:
• Stunning numbers from their 10-game streak
• Anders Lee ... leads.
• What was driving the streak when it was at seven wins.
• Also: Your 2019-20 NHL on NBC TV schedule
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James O’Brien is a writer for Pro Hockey Talk on NBC Sports. Drop him a line at phtblog@nbcsports.com or follow him on Twitter @cyclelikesedins.