The Morning After: Isles Beat Dreaded Three-Goal Lead & Ottawa, 5-3 For Third In A Row

Down both defensemen Adam Pelech and Sebastian Aho just off the game's start, the Isles played almost the entire 60 minutes with just four defensemen to victory.

This goes down as one of the gutsiest wins in the New York Islanders 51-year history. Yes, last night's 5-3 victory over the Senators in Ottawa. No question about it.

Down both defensemen Adam Pelech and Sebastian Aho just off the game's start, the Isles played almost the entire 60 minutes with just four defensemen to a totally unlikely triumph.

What's more, for the first time in more than a half-century they scored two goals in a six seconds stretch.

Better still -- when it counted most, in the third period -- they completely shut down the Senators and emerged with a large two points in what's already become a playoff dogfight.

"We felt that we were coming-on even when we were losing," said coach Lane Lambert. "The key was that we were not discouraged and we kept playing hard including this one, beating the Sens"

The heroes were many. Start with defenseman Noah Dobson logging 31:05 of ice time.

He even had enough breath left to say, "That's why I work out during the summer."

Alexander Romanov was right behind with 30:02, Scott Mayfield: 28:47 and Ryan Pulock: 26:19.

Kyle Palmieri and Oliver Wahlstrom led the offense with two points each and the veterans all chipped in with their leadership.

Lambert: "I have to add that I felt that our captain, Anders Lee led the team in this one. And also my assistant (defensive) coach Doug Houda who met the challenge working short shifts and

anything else necessary to keep the four defensemen fresh."

Coming home to face the Flyers tonight at UBS, the Orange and Blue have plenty to smile about; not to mention the challenge of filling in the openings on defense

Their expedition to Canada last night was in defiance of past bugaboos and resulted in their third straight win. New faces delivered BIG, and big scorers came through to secure the decision at what amounts to a critical turnabout for the team.

And get this folks, our lads even won an "Offside Challenge" that would have given Ottawa a 2-1 lead in the second period.

Just think about it:

The Islanders gave up the first goal. Unusual, yes, but no problem at all. Palmieri tied it before any of us started to worry.

They suffered the "Dreaded Three Goal Lead." Happens. Wahlstrom, Matty Barzal (power play, no less!) and Anders Lee -- the record six seconds later -- put us ahead -- with the "Dreaded Three Goal" lead; just like that.

But before The Maven could find his aspirin bottle, the home club trimmed the lead to 4-3! (YIKES!)

And STILL the Elmonters tightened up in time, most admirably shutting down the Sens throughout the third period. Full credit to Semyon Varlamov who again proved that Lou Lamoriello's decision to retain him gives the Nassaumen a distinct goaltending advantage.

You won't believe this one: They batted a thousand on the power play. (Yeah, you read it right!).

Plus, they won on blocked shots, 31-17. -- many so valuable in the third period. How about that!

Up and coming Holmstrom provided the breather fifth goal -- a lucky deflection, but why not? -- at 5:18 of the third. Dobson -- playing like he's got a Norris Trophy in his sights -- and

Scott Mayfied provided the most delicious assists.

Of course part of the joy emanates from the standings. The win -- after 19 games -- thrusts the Isles in a fourth-place tie with tonight's visitors with 21 points each, but the Isles have a game in hand. They are only a point behind Carolina and Washington

Both Lane Lambert's skaters and the Canes are tied in games while the Caps have two games in hand. Also, let's not forget that Pittsburgh -- with big-money defender Erik Karlsson -- is three points behind our guys and equal in games.

No question that tonight's second half of the back-to-backer will be a toughie but last night's effort showed that the Orange and Blue is up for the task. And besides, the Isles will most likely come back with a rested All-World backstop, Ilya Sorikin. 

"Every single guy on the team worked hard," Lambert concluded. Then, a pause:

"With no exception!!