Ghostbusters, where are you? Filmdom's famed chasers of ill-fate could have been a help at UBS Arena last night as the Islanders resumed their dangerous game of "Third Period Lead-Blowing."
Ghostbusters, where are you?
Filmdom's famed chasers of ill-fate could have been a help at UBS Arena last night as the New York Islanders resumed their dangerous game of "Third Period Lead-Blowing."
Only three minutes and nine seconds remained (189 seconds) when Boston rookie defenseman Mason Lohrei banked a billiard shot off Ilya Sorokin's back from behind the red goal line to inspire an arena full of "OH-NO'S" that eventually led to David Pastrnak's shootout winner.
"One just squeaks in," lamented captain Anders Lee. "You can't get on the guys for that."
No, Anders, The Maven won't get on the guys at all.
After all, the Islanders lost after outshooting the Bruins 37-34 for the home-stand finale. Sadly, however, the penalty-killers allowed three goals, and that was a killer-diller in the end.
Still, there was plenty of good news for the Orange and Blue brigade:
1. They got a vital point against the best in the east, the Bruins.
2. Their scoring machine is proving more productive than predicted.
3. They have a budding offensive threat in Simon Holmstrom.
4. They remain playoff-bound and competitive despite a patchwork defense.
5. The Barzal-Horvat duet continues to be sizzling hot.
6. The Isles lost their previous game to Boston, 5-2. This time it was 5-4. They're getting better against the best.
7. The Orange can get back on the winning track again tonight in Montreal, starting at 7 p.m.
"If you said before our home stand that we'd take ten out of a possible twelve points," asserted defenseman Noah Dobson, "we'd take that."
But there's no denying that the ghosts of sad scenarios past returned to haunt with a thud.
* A 2-0 second-period lead -- produced by Alex Romanov and Simon Holmstrom goals -- evaporated before the middle frame had ended.
* 3-2 and 4-3 leads in the third -- thanks to Horvat and Brock Nelson red lights -- were gone as Boston rallied.
* Two points became one after the shootout.
Let's not kid ourselves, coach Lane Lambert's skaters have received an unexpected boost from out of nowhere with the additions of defensemen Michael Reilly and Robert Bortuzzo. The club hasn't lost since boss Lou Lamoriello obtained the pair at low cost.
Reilly, who has revealed a positive offensive bent, assisted on Horvat's third-period goal that put New York ahead 3-2 early in the third period.
The third-period sags have been well-advertised and are fix-able, but it must be remembered that this is a work in progress and, all things considered, the current record of 14-7-8 is admirable when all the injury hardships are considered.
The Isles occupy second place in the crazy-close Metropolitan Division playoff race, having played 29 games. Philly, a point behind in third place, also has played 29 games.
"For 60 minutes, we were the better team," said Horvat. "It's unfortunate that we let them back on our penalty kill. That's what cost us."
Hot Horvat was voted the night's second star, thanks to his multi-assist game. His nine-game point streak ties a career-high.
Meanwhile, Simon Holmstrom's ninth goal suggests that a 20-goal season is not out of the question for the promising sharpshooter, who has seven points in his last eight games.
Looking back at the just concluded homestand, there's plenty to glow about. Even more so when you consider that 10 of 12 possible points were put up despite having lost defenseman Adam Pelech for all six games.
Additionally, D-men Ryan Pulock and Sebastian Aho were out for four of them and Scott Mayfield for two games.
One more reason to grin, the power play went two for four last night
"Now," concluded power play quarterback Noah Dobson, "we have to keep building!