Islanders outshot Detroit 29-11, but fall 1-0.
Elmont, N.Y. -- On a night where the New York Islanders fired plenty of shots, while allowing few shots, the Islanders failed to find the win column, losing 1-0 to the Detroit Red Wings after winning the shot battle 29-11.
The Islanders had the better of the play across the first period, outshooting the Red Wings 8-2 in the first 20 minutes. However, it was the visitors who found the back of the net first.
After a give-and-go between J.T. Compher and Vladimir Tarasenko, the latter drove down low towards the goal line. Patrick Kane drove to the net and received a pass from Tarasenko, burying the puck past Sorokin to make it 1-0 Red Wings.
New York finished the period with a big push, but Alex Lyon was equal to the task, stopping all eight Islanders shots in the frame.
The second period was more of the same for New York. The Islanders outshot the Red Wings 14-6 in the period, got a pair of power play opportunities, and forced 10 Detroit giveaways. However, a mix of posts and strong saves by Lyon kept the score the same after 40 minutes.
Sorokin was tested with nearly 12 minutes to go but was able to stop Jonatan Berggren and then Moritz Seider to keep the Isles within one.
Minutes later the Islanders had their chance, when their first line combined for a nifty passing play ending with an excellent chance by Simon Holmstrom who had his one-timer saved by Lyon.
With 6:59 remaining the home team was still looking for their first goal of the night -- while outshooting the Red Wings, 27-10.
Then, the Islanders got their third power play of the night with 5:29 remaining in the third. Erik Gustafsson was called for Interference, however New York was unable to fire any shots with the man advantage, and the Red Wings had their third kill of the night.
Sorokin was pulled with just over 2:30 remaining -- with the Islanders looking to press to get the equalizer.
Despite finishing with a 29-11 shot edge, the Islanders were unable to beat the Red Wings and Lyon, falling 1-0 and have now been shoutout three time in their first six games of the 2024-2025 season.
The Islanders return to action on Friday as they visit the rival New Jersey Devils. Puck drop from Prudential Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.