Edmonton Oilers vs Ny Islanders Islanders Picks and Predictions November 12th 2024

Islanders Look to Close Games as They Face Surging Oilers

The New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers are set to clash on Tuesday night, with both teams coming off very different third-period performances over the weekend. The Islanders are hoping to shake off their recent struggles in closing games, while the Oilers aim to build on a dominant finish that could signal their return to form.

Islanders’ Third-Period Woes Continue

Saturday night was another frustrating chapter for the Islanders, who let a two-goal lead slip away in the third period, eventually falling 4-3 in overtime to the New Jersey Devils. Despite a promising start, with Dennis Cholowski and Brock Nelson scoring within two minutes of each other to give New York a 3-1 lead, things unraveled quickly.

The Devils’ Dawson Mercer cut the deficit with just over four minutes left, and a chaotic sequence saw Stefan Noesen’s pass deflect off defenseman Grant Hutton’s stick and skate, sneaking past Ilya Sorokin to force overtime. Jack Hughes then sealed the deal for the Devils with a breakaway goal in OT.

This latest collapse adds to a troubling trend for the Islanders, who have struggled to protect leads, particularly in the third period. Over the past two seasons, they’ve now lost 14 games (including playoffs) in which they led heading into the final frame.

Coach Patrick Roy didn’t mince words about the need for improvement: “We managed to take a 3-1 lead. Unfortunately, we couldn’t close. We need to find a way to close those games.”

Oilers Find Their Groove in a Third-Period Explosion

While the Islanders are searching for answers, the Oilers may have found theirs. Edmonton ended a two-game skid with a thrilling 7-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, highlighted by a four-goal outburst in less than five minutes during the third period.

Connor Brown bookended the flurry with goals, while Connor McDavid and Brett Kulak added to the barrage. This explosive period was a much-needed confidence boost for an Oilers team that has struggled to find offensive consistency, scoring fewer than four goals in nine of their first 14 games.

Brown praised his team’s composure after the win: “It was a solid effort by our group, but the main thing is that third period—the way we showed composure and poise with the lead and piled on. I think there’s a lot of momentum to be built off that game.”

Different Trajectories: Can the Islanders Bounce Back?

For the Islanders, Tuesday’s game in Edmonton is an opportunity to turn the page on their third-period collapses. So far this season, they’ve given up leads in several key games, including a 5-4 overtime loss to the Utah Hockey Club and a pair of games against the Canadiens and Devils where they nearly let victories slip away.

The Oilers, on the other hand, seem to be gaining steam after a shaky start. Once considered strong contenders for the Stanley Cup, they stumbled out of the gate with five losses in their first seven games. However, with five wins in their last eight, including Saturday’s emphatic victory, they appear to be finding their rhythm.

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The Matchup: Momentum vs. Redemption

This game marks the first meeting of the season between the Islanders and Oilers, with the second matchup set for March 14 in New York. For the Islanders, it’s a chance to prove they can close out games and tighten up defensively, especially against an Oilers squad that’s rediscovering its offensive firepower.

The Oilers will be looking to build on their recent success and keep their momentum rolling. With players like Connor McDavid hitting their stride, Edmonton is aiming to solidify their status as one of the Western Conference’s top teams.

Will the Islanders finally find a way to close out games, or will the Oilers ride their newfound confidence to another high-scoring victory? It’s shaping up to be an intriguing matchup between two teams with plenty to prove.