3 Takeaways: Isles Rally for 3-2 OT Win Over Kings

ISLES RALLY IN THIRD PERIOD:

The Islanders third period issues have been well-documented this season, but on Saturday night, the Isles flipped the script.

Trailing 2-0 – against a Kings team who was 13-0-0 when leading after two periods – the Islanders dug deep, regaining some of the offensive traction that eluded them in a lopsided second period where they were outshot 15-6, outscored 2-0 and got into penalty trouble.

The turnaround started in the locker room, with several players remaking about the team’s ability to rally in the third.

“We knew it was a big challenge, but at the same time I think we took it as a great opportunity,” Pageau said. “Coming into the third, we’re like let’s just empty the tank and if we go down let’s go down swinging.”

The Isles began to tip the scales, generating six high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five (per Natural Stat Trick) to the Kings’ three. Sorokin made his mark on the game with approximately eight minutes left, stretching out to deny Anze Kopitar to keep the Isles down two and within striking distance, and with a breakaway save on Adrian Kempe when tied 2-2.

While the Kings’ stingy style didn’t give the Isles much early on, they broke through on Lee’s first of the night, as the captain found space in front of the net to slam home a Mike Reilly rebound at 8:42 of the third period.