The New York Islanders picked up two points in the final two games of their five games on the road. Back to back overtime losses to the Philadelphia Flyers were a bit of an improvement over the 0-3-0 record that they entered the City of Brotherly Love with.
On Sunday, the Islanders rallied back from a 3-1 hole with two goals in the third to force the extra period. An untimely penalty ultimately set up Philadelphia for the winning goal.
Here are three takeaways from the 4-3 overtime loss:
Could There be Some Consistency coming to the Islanders Lineup?
After Barry Trotz opted to sit his young forwards in Kieffer Bellows and Oliver Wahlstrom on Sunday, could there be some lineup clarity coming? Islanders head coach Barry Trotz has now seen nearly everyone that might be considered to play on the NHL roster somewhat regularly.
The Islanders bench boss has been trying to foster competition early on in the season with some of his lineup choices but now is the time to start fielding a more constient
Mathew Barzal’s Penalty Minutes
Islanders forwards have found ways to take untimely penalties early in the season. On Thursday it was Leo Komarov who took a poorly timed trip to the box in Washinton. On Sunday, it was Mathew Barzal.
The Islanders star forward took a high sticking penalty on Scott Laughton at 3:40 of overtime, forcing his team to play shorthanded for the remainder of the extra frame. Philadelphia eventually scored to win the game and the Islanders dropped their fifth straight.
Barzal has taken a few poorly timed penalties and currently leads the Islanders in penalty minutes with 24 PIM. Of the Islanders players who have appeared in all nine games this season, Brock Nelson has the second-highest PIM with six.
“It’s not necessarily always the penalties, but he’s a guy that we need on the ice, not off the ice,” head coach Barry Trotz said. “He’s had some costly penalties no question. We will talk about that and he’s got to clean that up for us.”
