Golden Knights end road trip with 3-2 OT loss to Islanders
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Nate Schmidt was still breathing heavily in the locker room long after chasing around the New York Islanders’ Mathew Barzal for almost a full minute during overtime.
Yes, the competitor in him was disappointed in Thursday’s outcome, a 3-2 Golden Knights loss at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
But all things considered, the defenseman couldn’t be too upset. The Knights went toe-to-toe with one of the NHL’s top teams for more than 60 minutes and snagged a point from a game they never led.
“That’s a huge point for us. It’s a good team,” Schmidt said. “They had streaks where they were dominating the play, for sure, and we had streaks that we were dominating the play. Just a good hockey game. Wish it could have kept going.”
Jonathan Marchessault, who recorded a natural hat trick in Tuesday’s win at New Jersey, tied the game with 4:32 remaining in the third period when he collected a loose puck in the slot and wristed in his ninth goal.
But Marchessault also hauled down Barzal in the final two minutes of overtime, and Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock scored the winner 10 seconds into the power play as the Knights fell to 1-5 in games decided in overtime.
Still, the Knights finished their three-game road trip with five of a possible six points and extended their points streak to five games (4-0-1).
“Obviously, you want to get points, especially on road trips like this,” goaltender Malcolm Subban said after making 28 stops in his sixth straight start. “This was not an easy team to play against, and we did really well. We played them really hard and generated chances on a team that doesn’t give up much.”
Here’s what stood out from the Knights’ loss:
1. Start spreading the news.
Alex Tuch joked that he has been hesitant to celebrate after scoring since he had a goal overturned by video review Nov. 13 against Chicago when his shot went off both posts and stayed out.
The native of Syracuse, New York, had a look of bewilderment after his goal in the second period Thursday that tied the score at 1.
“I had no idea (it went in). I saw an opening and just tried to shoot in stride,” Tuch said. “I’m not celebrating until they tell me it’s a legit goal. I had to make sure I skate by the bench, and I’m like, ‘That went in right?’ and they’re like, ‘Yep.’ ”
Tuch has four goals and seven points in his past four games after being held without a point in his previous seven appearances.
2. Glass saves best for last.
Rookie center Cody Glass was one of the most noticeable players for the Knights, getting to loose pucks all over the ice and creating havoc on the forecheck.
He also might have earned the Knights a point when he hustled back and lifted the stick of Anders Lee to prevent a scoring chance in the closing seconds.
Glass chipped a breakout pass to start the rush that led to Tuch’s goal, and the move to his natural center position three games ago seems to have helped the 20-year-old.
3. Bottom-six battle.
The Islanders proved to be a difficult matchup for the Knights because of their depth at forward.
New York’s third line of Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Leo Komarov played more than any other line in the third period, and Nelson produced the Islanders’ second goal after a strong forecheck by Beauvillier.
Also, the Islanders’ fourth line outplayed their Knights counterparts, and Cal Clutterbuck gave New York a 1-0 lead early in the second period. Clutterbuck, Casey Cizikas and Matt Martin combined for 14 hits, one more than the Knights’ entire team.
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Contact David Schoen at dschoen@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-5203. Follow @DavidSchoenLVRJ on Twitter.
