The Islanders’ scoring chances and odd-man rushes kept coming for a second straight game. This time, though, the goals did not follow.
So they reached the midpoint of their season — the last NHL team to do so — with a frustrating 3-1 loss to the Oilers on Friday night at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Islanders (17-18-6) will play in Calgary on Saturday night after opening this four-game road trip with a 6-3 win in Vancouver on Wednesday. Ilya Sorokin, not as sharp as he was against the Canucks, made 33 saves against Edmonton.
The Oilers (24-18-3), who got two primary assists from Connor McDavid, were playing their first game for new coach Jay Woodcroft. He was promoted from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield to replace the fired Dave Tippett.
Islanders coach Barry Trotz kept his shaken-up lines intact from Wednesday’s win. Cal Clutterbuck stayed on Mathew Barzal’s top line. Ross Johnston skated on Brock Nelson’s second line and Anthony Beauvillier, usually a top-six forward, was on Casey Cizikas’ right wing.
The Islanders scored five goals in the first period against the Canucks and again started strong on Friday. But maligned goalie Mike Smith (37 saves), who had not earned a victory since Oct. 16 and brought a dismal 3.83 goals-against average and .890 save percentage into his ninth appearance of the season, turned aside all 19 shots he faced in the first 20 minutes.
