Hoping to build off a cathartic and long-awaited regulation victory on the weekend, the Islanders instead lost to the worst team in the Eastern Conference, though it came with a consolation point in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Other consolations include sparing us the godforsaken shootout by ending it 2:39 into overtime, a 3-on-3 exhibition that the Islanders do not appear to have a clear idea how to handle.
Thery deliver the occasional smart individual plays in overtime — Brock Nelson puck possession here, Simon Holmstrom diffusing an odd-man rush there — but overall they have not exhibited the cohesive approach that other teams repeatedly display against them.