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Good Morning, Islanders Country, and welcome to 2023!
What a difference a day/year makes for this franchise. All-time, the Isles are a sparkling 12-1-1 on New Year’s Eve and now are a flat 1-8-0 on New Year's Day.
The Islanders and Seattle Kraken each entered the new year on streaks - one showed a strong resolution to have theirs not continue. The Isles had won three in a row while the Kraken had lost three straight (and 8 of 11), including losing a lopsided 7-2 game to Edmonton their last time out.
After a first period that ended 1-1, Mathew Barzal said on radio, “It wasn’t great. They dominated.” Nothing changed. The Isles had six shots in the first, six shots in the second, and seven in the third. It was the first time since November 11th (20 games) that Seattle allowed one goal or fewer.
The Isles allowed more SOG to Seattle through two periods than they did any of their previous three opponents for the game. Only Ilya Sorokin prevented the game from being over earlier (although the horn did sound about five minutes too soon). It continues a trend from December, as the team allowed nearly 35 shots in road games compared to under 24 at home and have just one road win in their last six games away from Long Island. Lane Lambert’s makeshift lineup will have a chance to rebound in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Coming up, Sorokin adds to his highlight reel, and Barzal hits a milestone as he plays on the wing in his former home city. Plus, Offside Tavern has visitors, the Isles start the 90s against John Tonelli and the LA Kings, and a member of Isles Nation travels to the Space Needle.
Let’s dive in.
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