The Vegas Golden Knights struggled again on Tuesday night, falling to the New York Islanders 2-1 at UBS Arena, marking their fourth consecutive defeat and deepening concerns over their current form. Despite significantly outshooting the Islanders, the Knights could not capitalize on their offensive opportunities, sealing their fate on Long Island.
The matchup featured the Golden Knights battling through their recent struggles, now posting just 3 wins against 13 losses since January 9. On the other hand, the Islanders entered the game fresh off significant injuries but riding high with momentum, having won 10 of their last 13 games.
It didn't take long for the Knights to encounter trouble. An awkward change led to the Islanders taking advantage late in the first period when Bo Horvat scored with just 1:39 left on the clock. With the Golden Knights at 5-4 on shots during the first period and managing to overwhelm the Islanders on shots by the second period, it appeared they were gathering steam.
The second period saw the Golden Knights dominate with 14 shots compared to the Islanders’ 4, yet the scoreboard remained unchanged. During this stretch, Vegas showed signs of life with some offensive rhythm thanks to the second line of Pavel Dorofeyev, Tomas Hertl, and Alexander Holtz, highlighted by their combined six shots. Still, the Knights could not beat Islanders goalie Ilya Sorokin, who, throughout the night, showcased stellar goaltending by stopping 33 out of 34 shots.
Finally, with 7:40 to go, Brandon Saad, making just his second appearance since signing with Vegas, scored his first goal with the franchise, tying the game at 1-1. It looked like the Knights were poised to gain momentum. The jubilation didn't last, though, as just three minutes later, Brock Nelson deflected a shot from Alexander Romanov past the Knights' goalie Ilya Samsonov, regaining the lead for the Islanders.
The disparity was stark: the Golden Knights had fired 34 shots on the Isles net compared to just 14 allowed, tying for the franchise's least shots allowed ever. Yet, this did not convert to success, as the Knights pondered their fate again: outscored yet again by the Islanders, having lost both encounters this season, totaling just one goal against New York.
Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy expressed frustration post-game, stating, "It wasn't like we were poor. We just couldn't generate enough to put them on their heels. We did acknowledge you can't play catch up. It's tough. It's difficult.”
The Islanders, on the other hand, displayed tenacity and grit, reflecting on Coach Patrick Roy's earlier remarks comparing his team’s resolve to the fictional hero Rocky Balboa. "People who want to battle for their dreams and who will fight, that's what we’re going to have to do," he asserted, and his team certainly delivered, outperforming expectations.
The Golden Knights will look to shake their slump with their next matchup against the New Jersey Devils. Currently, they sit tied for first place with the Edmonton Oilers but have concerns with only two wins out of their last 11 games.
Vegas remains optimistic for their drawing power at home, but consistent road struggles may sink their playoff aspirations if not corrected soon. With many game-changing moments working against them, they find themselves at crossroads: either regroup and regain form or allow their losing streak to fester. A pivotal game against New Jersey awaits, and the Knights certainly need to channel their inner champions if they wish to steer their ship back on course.
Meanwhile, the Islanders, now just three points outside of playoff contention, could be gaining pivotal ground as they continue their fight for postseason positioning. With upcoming games holding significant stakes, the Islanders appear determined to capitalize on their positive momentum.