ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Islanders are tired of their season-opening stretch of 13 road games. Not so much tired of playing it, but tired of talking about it.
It is understandable that fans and journalists are fascinated by their five-week tour of North America. This is not something that comes along every day – or ever.
But from the start, Barry Trotz and his players have sought to downplay the challenge and just roll with it.
Take Sunday night, when the Wild ended the Isles’ seven-game point streak with a 5-2 victory.
The Islanders coughed up a 2-1 lead entering the third period, during which the visitors were outshot, 16-2, then were given several opportunities afterward to attribute the fade to playing three games in four nights.