Despite a wild comeback attempt and Matthew Schaefer's milestone point, the Islanders' road trip stumbles with a tough 5-4 loss.
The New York Islanders were unable to win a wacky game against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday night, falling 5-4 and suffering their second loss in the first three games of their seven-game road trip.
Ilya Sorokin stopped 17 of 22 shots, allowing five goals for the first time this season. Connor Hellebuyck made 23 saves on 27 shots.
Patrick Roy's squad had chances early and throughout the game to score much more than four goals, but accuracy was a problem. It wasn't for Winnipeg.
No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer got the Islanders within one with 46 seconds to play in regulation. Not only was that his 13th goal of the season, but it was also his 30th point in 46 games.
Schaefer did leave the game in the first period after taking a stick to the rib area, only to return for the second. Then, in the second, Schaefer took a shot off the right knee, missing time late in the period, but was back on the ice to start the third.
Here's how the game unfolded:
The Islanders found themselves down 3-0 at the 6:23 mark of the second period, but this relentless group stormed back. Courtesy of an Anthony Duclair short-side squaker, an Emil Heineman penalty shot, and a Kyle MacLean rip, the Islanders evened the score in just 2:21 of game action:
However, the Islanders found themselves down 5-3 after two periods, allowing the 4-3 goal at 12:23 of the second before allowing a back-breaking goal with 20 seconds to play in the second:
The Islanders put on the pressure late after Schaefer's goal, but couldn't get the tying tally.
Up next: The Islanders battle Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers at 9 PM ET.