This fete was one short of the team record set the season before against the same Blueshirts. Trottier led the way with a pair goals and two assists. The increasing need for better penalty killing was becoming evident as the Islanders surrendered three power play goals, including two in the third period. To give you an idea of how that record fared against the season before, the Islanders hadn't lost their ninth game until Feb. 4. As they were going into their second western road swing with stops in Los Angeles, Colorado and Edmonton, the Islanders were left scratching their heads and wondering what the solution would be.
Nobody can put a finger on it.
It's still a long season, but we need to fix this now. All rights reserved.