The New York Islanders didn't rise to the occasion on Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks. Former NHL winger and NHL Network analyst David Reid broke down their 5-2 loss to a tee.
"This was a tough game, and it's a 50/50 battle in most games, and you've got to go hard.
Reid then broke down every single goal the Islanders allowed, so let's go through them.
REID: "Tsyplakov takes the wrong point."
REID: "Tony D'Angelo is on Räty and he loses position on his man.
REID: "Jean-Gabriel Pageau stops skating through the neutral zone and Forbort takes the extra two strides and gets away from inside the blue line. And you have a goal.
REID: "You see Pelech lose position on the goal in the third period, which was eventually kind of the back breaker. Pelech has the puck on the boards. You've got to get that out. He misses his play. Next thing you know, boom, it's in the back of the net.
REID'S FINAL THOUGHTS:
"These are mistakes that are being made at the wrong time for the New York Islanders. This is a game the New York Islanders had to play and be absolutely perfect in their game. Now you're not going to win every 50/50 battle. You will lose guys in front of the net. When you're fighting for the playoffs like the Islanders have, your level of intensity and your level of, I won't say panic...the fact is, you have to make sure you win those battles. You have to have a 90/10 game. If you're 55/45, maybe 60/40, that's pretty good. You're playing against professionals. You're playing against guys who are really good on the other side. To get into the playoffs, you have to be that much better. That's where the New York Islanders, to me, lost this game. Ath the moments. where they needed to be at their best. They weren't, and it cost them."
Stay updated with the most interesting Islanders stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.