NHL scores 2016: Islanders left picking up the pieces of yet another loss

Oh, how far the New York Islanders have fallen. After securing their first playoff series victory since 1993, their 2016-17 season has been a disaster thus far.

New York’s 3-2 overtime loss at the hands of the Panthers — Florida’s sweet revenge for its playoff series against the Islanders last year — is the team’s seventh loss in nine games. Honestly, it’s been quite hard to watch.

So far, the Islanders have yet to win a game on the road this year. They’re not getting nearly enough pucks on the net to win, with the second-lowest shots per game in the NHL, at 27.9. It’s gotten so bad that the trade rumors — whether they have any weight or not — are out in full force in regard to captain John Tavares.

It’s been a hard fall for the Islanders, who had the look in recent years of an emerging young power. Tavares is a surefire special player. Goaltender Jaroslav Halak was coming off a stellar World Cup of Hockey for Team Europe. The defense, though not a top-tier group, is being led by an excellent player in 25-year-old Nick Leddy.

Yet, instead of that next step, the Islanders have suffered some major injuries on defense and seen new acquisitions underperform tremendously. Andrew Ladd, who the Islanders signed to a massive seven-year contract in the offseason, is brutally underachieving with three points in 15 games. Former Capital Jason Chimera also is producing below expectations with just five points in 15 games.

Our friends at Lighthouse Hockey insist there’s hope, but it might only come with a new system and a new voice at the top. The Islanders are more talented than their record suggests, and head coach Jack Capuano could pay the price when all is said and done if New York can’t figure itself out.

Sharks 3, Lightning 1
Canadiens 5, Red Wings 0
Panthers 3, Islanders 2 (OT)
Devils 4, Sabres 2
Flyers 3, Wild 2
Penguins 4, Maple Leafs 1
Hurricanes 5, Capitals 1
Blue Jackets 8, Blues 4
Bruins 2, Coyotes 1
Predators 5, Ducks 0
Rangers 4, Flames 1

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1. The Flyers’ goalies bent, but did not break

We’ve seen this story before. Philadelphia gives up an early goal, fights back, but ultimately falls because of too many soft goals allowed from its usually steady pair of netminders. But not this time! The Flyers managed to overcome a goal just 20 seconds into the game, their worst this year by 35 seconds, to hold onto a 3-2 victory against Minnesota. Steve Mason’s 17 saves in relief — as Michal Neuvirth was injured after one period — are hopefully, maybe, the start of better goaltending in Philadelphia.

2. Columbus can’t stop scoring

First, it was the Canadiens. Then on Saturday, the Blues were the latest team to get a beat down from the Blue Jackets in their 8-4 victory. This strange surge of goals has gotten so comical that Columbus is tied for seventh in the NHL in goals, but is dead last in average shots per game at 26.9. It seems as if John Tortorella’s system is finally clicking in Columbus.

3. The Predators are above .500 for the first time since the first week of the season

Out of all the chaos that has been the Central Division, the stumbling of Nashville might be the most surprising. Considering the Predators are a Stanley Cup pick of many, a sub-.500 start to the year wasn’t encouraging. In the midst of a three-game win streak, and having won four of their last six, things seem to be back to normal for Nashville after its 5-0 shutout victory against the Ducks. Central Division, beware.

Rookie Sebastian Aho netted his first and second career NHL goals in the Hurricanes’ 5-1 victory over the Capitals.

Oh, and of course his parents loved it.

Carey Price has done what no NHL goaltender has done before: win each of his first 10 games of the season.