Another point gets away from Islanders in shootout loss to Canadiens

The Islanders are far from being mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.

But Sunday afternoon’s 3-2 shootout loss at UBS Arena to the NHL-worst Canadiens and journeyman goalie Andrew Hammond, playing his first NHL game in almost four years, was the most definitive proof yet that they are not a contender.

Of course, the Islanders (18-20-7) are not ready to concede. But until they get consistent four-line performances, until they stop allowing the first goal, until they stop giving up late goals, until they manage the puck better, they cannot climb in the standings.

The NHL trade deadline is March 21, and it’s become increasingly clear that the Islanders should be sellers.

"It’s harder when you dig yourself a hole and have to try and generate and manufacture offense," said Brock Nelson, who saved the Islanders from a brutal regulation loss, swooping in for a loose puck in the Canadiens’ zone to tie it at 2 at 17:03 of the third period. "Teams are up, teams can clamp down a little more. That said, I thought we did a pretty good job in the third."

Ilya Sorokin (24 saves) again allowed a questionable goal but was strong otherwise in his sixth straight start, especially with three saves in overtime. But the Islanders have not won consecutive games since Jan. 17-21 and are 17 points out of a playoff spot.

"We showed good character to stay with it in the third, but we needed a little bit more," said coach Barry Trotz, whose team will open a five-game road trip on Tuesday night against the expansion Seattle Kraken. "We wanted to play their game a little more than we wanted to play our game consistently."

The Canadiens (10-33-7), who have fallen on tough times since losing to the Lightning in the Stanley Cup Final, won their second straight under interim coach Martin St. Louis.

Hammond, 34, making his 57th NHL appearance and first since starting for the Avalanche on March 28, 2018, stopped 30 shots. It was the first NHL victory for "The Hamburglar" since April 9, 2016, with the Senators. The 2,143 days between wins is the eighth-longest span in league history.

"I think he played well," defenseman Scott Mayfield said. "There were times where you had the puck bounce around the crease and he’d get a pad on it. A couple of times he just got big and was able to keep it out."

Anthony Beauvillier opened the shootout by deking around Hammond, but Sorokin allowed consecutive goals by Cole Caufield and Rem Pitlick. In between those goals, Mathew Barzal hit the post with a backhander, and Hammond then denied Nelson to earn the win.

The Islanders outshot the Canadiens 12-5 in the second period and Kyle Palmieri’s power-play goal on a rebound at 1:29 tied the score at 1.

The Canadiens regained a one-goal lead as Josh Anderson beat Sorokin with a sharp-angle shot to the short side from the left at 18:49 of the second period.

It didn’t help that the Islanders were (dis)credited with 22 giveaways, including four by defenseman Sebastian Aho.

"There were some guys that got pucks in tough spots tonight. It’s going to happen," Josh Bailey said. "You keep moving forward. As far as puck management goes, that’s something we take pride in."

The Canadiens, who have been outscored 59-28 in the first period this season, took a 1-0 lead at 9:01 on defenseman Jeff Petry’s shot with teammate Michael Pezzetta and Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock creating a screen.

It marked the 11th time in 12 games the Islanders have allowed the opening goal.

By Andrew Gross

andrew.gross@newsday.comAGrossNewsday

Andrew Gross joined Newsday in 2018 to cover the Islanders. He began reporting on the NHL in 2003 and has previously covered the Rangers and Devils. Other assignments have included the Jets, St. John’s and MLB.