Recap: Isles Fall 2-1 in Rematch to Rangers

In three-plus seasons, the New York Islanders had not lost to the New York Rangers at Barclays Center.
That changed Saturday, as the Isles fell 2-1 to their crosstown rivals on Saturday afternoon, dropping to 7-1-0 lifetime against the Rangers in Brooklyn.
Mats Zuccarello scored the game-winning goal with 5:05 to play in the third period, officially splitting the Islanders-Rangers home-and-home set, as well as the season series. Anthony Beauvillier scored the lone goal for the Islanders, as he and Filip Chytil exchanged second period goals.

Saturday's loss was an interesting juxtaposition to Thursday's win in Barry Trotz's eyes. The Islanders coach felt his team played better than they had in the 4-3 win at Madison Square Garden - where the Isles were outshot 17-1 in the third period - but the results did not align with the play on the ice.
"We were way better than we were the other night, but not good enough obviously," Trotz said. "I always use the hockey god term where it sort of comes back and gets you. Today, we hit a couple posts. We weren't able to capitalize on some of our chances… We had a lead, but couldn't put them away. I thought their goaltender played pretty well."
Trotz said the Isles fell victim to a few bad bounces, whether it was Nick Leddy's backhand off the post in the second period, or a handful of other near misses. In the end, the Rangers got the bounce they needed, as Tony DeAngelo's shot deflected off Zuccarello's skate and past Robin Lehner (24 saves).
"We played better overall in spurts," captain Anders Lee said. "It wasn't a complete game by any means, but we had our opportunities whether it be on the power play, or a few chances five-on-five. It wasn't close to being a full 60 which we needed and they got a pretty fortunate bounce to take the lead. We couldn't come back."

POWER PLAY COMES UP EMPTY:

After going 2-for-3 on Thursday night, the Isles power play went cold Saturday, going 0-for-6 in the matinee affair.
Tied 1-1 late in the second period, the Isles had a chance to re-take the lead with a 1:15 two-man advantage, but were unable to convert. Anthony Beauvillier's 12th of the season - a in-tight tuck past backup Alexandar Georgiev - came just as the Isles fourth power play expired, so while the Isles had a de facto man advantage, it didn't show up on the score sheet.
"It [hurts]," Lee said of the Isles going 0-for-6 with the man advantage. "You have that many opportunities and a five-on-three, you have to convert."
While the power play came up empty handed, the Isles penalty kill went 4-for-4, including a 48-second five-on-three in the second period. That should have been a springboard for the Isles, but Chytil snatched the momentum back with the tying goal less than two minutes later.

Video: NYR@NYI: Lehner, Boychuk keep Rangers at bay

LEHNER'S STREAK ENDS:

Robin Lehner suffered his first loss since Dec. 12, ending a career-best, eight-game winning streak. Lehner was solid in the loss, coming up with a highlight reel glove save on Chytil at the end of the first period and a solid pad save on Chris Kreider early in the second.

SBISA IN, PELECH OUT:

Luca Sbisa drew into the lineup for Adam Pelech on Saturday afternoon. Sbisa played 13:13 on a pairing with Scott Mayfield, recording two hits and one blocked shot.

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night at 7 p.m.