3 Takeaways: Isles Lose Late Lead in 4-3 OT Loss to Canadiens

The New York Islanders are taking a point home from their one-game road trip to Montreal, after falling 4-3 to the Canadiens on Saturday afternoon at Centre Bell.
In the ultra-tight Eastern Conference Wild Card picture, every point counts, but one point was not a satisfying result in the aftermath of Saturday's loss, which extended the Islanders' winless streak to two games.

"Two leads blown in last couple games in the third period, we're usually known to lock it down," Noah Dobson said. "[We were] careless with the puck a little bit and they're good transition team and it gives them chances. It's unfortunate. I mean, we'll take the positive, we got to point out of it, but we definitely wanted two."
Brock Nelson (1G, 1A), Bo Horvat (PPG) and Matt Martin scored for the Islanders, who could not hold onto 2-1 and 3-2 leads in the third period. The Canadiens got goals from Nick Suzuki, Justin Barron and Kirby Dach in regulation, while Mike Matheson (1G, 1A) netted the OT winner with 22 seconds to play in the extra frame.
As of Saturday afternoon, the Islanders (60 points) are tied with the Washington Capitals (60 points) for the second wild card spot, though the Capitals will have two games in hand after their contest vs Boston wraps up on Saturday evening. Pittsburgh has 61 points and five games in hand on the Isles, though they play late Saturday night in LA.

ISLES BLOW LEAD IN THE THIRD PERIOD:

For the second straight game, the Islanders let a third period lead slip away.
Bo Horvat's goal - his third in the last three games - late in the second period had the Islanders up 2-1 heading into the third period, while Matt Martin's deflection later had the Islanders up 3-2.
CANADIENS 4, ISLANDERS 3 OT
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In both instances, the Islanders were not able to hold off the Canadiens, who have played the Islanders much tougher than their last-place standing in the Atlantic Division would indicate. Montreal was credited with 12 high-danger chances for at five-on-five, compared to seven for the Islanders on the night. Montreal won the high-danger chance battle 4-1 in the third period.
"In the third period, we came out a little flat and didn't have enough push last game," Horvat said. "Tonight, I thought we still had our chances and still came strong, but we just couldn't get it done."
Justin Barron initially made it 2-2, coming in as a trailer and snapping his first of the season past Semyon Varlamov at 4:02 of the third. Martin's tip on an Alex Romanov shot - as the defenseman made his return to Montreal for the first time since being dealt by the Habs - made it 3-2, but Montreal didn't quit. Kirby Dach deflected a Mike Matheson point shot past Varlamov at 16:44 to send the game to overtime.
In OT, the Islanders had their shot, as Sebastian Aho drew a penalty that sent the Isles to a 4-on-3 power play, which felt extended due to the Isles possession on a delayed penalty. The suddenly rejuvenated power play - which had a goal in the game and four over the past four - peppered the Canadiens, but could not break through.
As Mike Hoffman left the penalty box, a Mathew Barzal turnover led to a breakaway for the Canadiens forward. While Hoffman was initially denied by Varlamov, Matheson was there to clean up the rebound. The play underwent a lengthy offside review, but ultimately stood.
"It's extremely deflating twice," Lambert said of the initial goal and then the lengthy review not going the Isles way.
Per team statistician Eric Hornick, the Islanders third period differential is now -1; the Isles were +16 in the third period through 23 games but are -17 over the last 33 games.

POWER PLAY CONTINUES TO PRODUCE:

After a prolonged slump through December and January, the Islanders power play has come alive since the all-star break.
Bo Horvat's power-play goal - a sharp-angled shot that deflected off Montembeault's pads and through the goalie's five-hole - was the Islanders' fourth in their last eight opportunities. To put it in perspective, the Islanders were 4-for-68 heading into the all-star break. The power play was unable to score during a four-on-three in overtime, leaving the unit 1-for-2 in the game and 4-for-9 since the break.
Horvat's arrival has helped spur the man advantage unit, as the newly-acquired center has a pair of power-play points, as well as a would-be power-play goal that was disallowed against the Canucks.
"It's obviously been a positive. I think we were in a slump there for there for a while, but we seem to be out of it now, we just have to be able to continue to build on it," Dobson said. "Bo's been a great addition. He sees things and gives us some other options. That's been a key."
Dobson has also been piling up the power-play points since returning from a four-game absence. Dobson picked up the primary assist on Horvat's second period goal vs Montreal, the primary helper on Barzal's power-play goal against Vancouver, as well as a power-play goal of his own vs the Canucks.

NELSON STREAK HITS 10 GAMES:

Brock Nelson's career-long point streak continued on Saturday afternoon, as the center hit the scoresheet for a 10th straight game. Nelson has 12 points (6G, 6A) over that span.
Nelson deflected a Noah Dobson point shot past Sam Montembeault at 15:01 to tie the score 1-1.
The goal was Nelson's team-leading 21st tally of the season. He is the first Islanders player with a 10-game point streak since Josh Bailey's 11-gamer from Dec. 9-31, 2017. Nelson's goal also accounted for his 50th point of the season, marking the fourth year he's eclipsed 50 points.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders have a date with the Ottawa Senators on Valentine's Day at UBS Arena. Puck drop is at 7:30 p.m.