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New York Islanders suffer devastating loss after great comeback against Philadelphia Flyers

By Nick Ziegler

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The New York Islanders with hopes of building some momentum on Tuesday, came out flat against the Philadelphia Flyers, and it cost them. The loss moves the Islanders to 46-28-6, with 98 points on the season still, as their struggles to get wins continue.

In the first period, the Islanders had a golden opportunity to score the first goal of the game. The Flyers would commit two penalties within a minute of game time to set the Islanders power-play up with a 5 on 3, but they came up empty.

After being given a similar chance on the power-play, the Flyers would not waste the chance. Claude Giroux would score the first goal of the game, which was his 24th of the season, and it was assisted by Mark Streit, and Jakub Voracek on the power-play. Later in the period, it would be that exact same combination to score the Flyers’ second goal of the game, as Giroux scored his second goal of the game, with another assist going to Streit and Voracek.

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The Islanders’ power-play would get redemption in the second period, as a shot by Ryan Strome was deflected in by John Tavares for his 36th goal of the season. Strome and Nick Leddy would get credited with assists for the Islanders’ first goal of the game.

After a big goal to cut the lead to one, the Islanders would give it right back just over one minute later. Pierre-Edouard Bellemare would score his sixth goal of the season, which was assisted by Vincent Lecavalier, and Nicklas Grossmann.

With the game still very much in reach heading into the third period, the Flyers would come out and try to end it early with another goal. Carlo Colaiacovo would score just his second goal of the season on the assist from Zac Rinaldo, which gave the Flyers the three-goal lead. The Islanders would get it back to a two-goal deficit however, as Anders Lee would score his 24th goal of the season, which was assisted by Josh Bailey, and Lubomir Visnovsky.

Apr 7, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak (41) reacts after allowing the game-winning goal with three seconds to the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Flyers defeated the Islanders, 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After the Islanders brought it back to within two goals, the real fun would begin in Philadelphia. With less than two minutes to play, Johnny Boychuk would bring the Islanders a little bit closer with a rocket from the point for his ninth goal of the season, which was assisted by Tavares.

Only being down one-goal, the Islanders would pull their goalie, and with the extra skater on the ice, Lee was able to tie the game for the Islanders with his second goal of the game, 25th of the season.

Needing just one point to clinch a playoff spot, the Islanders thought they had done enough to force overtime in Philadelphia, but sadly they were wrong. It was not a good game for Jaroslav Halak, but the final goal he allowed would be a devastating one for the Islanders. Brayden Schenn scored his 18th of the season on a simple flick shot from nearly the blue-line that got past Halak somehow for the game-winning goal.

The Islanders will have to find a way to rebound from the devastating loss, as they will be playing the Pittsburgh Penguins in a huge game with playoff implications on Friday night.

Next: Who was the best Islanders' player in 2014?

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