3 Takeaways: Predators 5, Islanders 4 (OT)

The New York Islanders were 42.2 seconds away from two points on Monday night, but had to settle for one, falling 5-4 in overtime to the Nashville Predators at Barclays Center.
Ryan Johansen scored the tying goal in the final minute of regulation to force overtime, while Roman Josi won it in the extra frame. John Tavares, Ryan Pulock, Casey Cizikas and Nick Leddy scored for the Islanders, who led 4-2 in the second period. Kevin Fiala (2G) and Calle Jarnkrok rounded out the scoring for Nashville.
With the point, the Islanders (58 points) moved back into a playoff position - the second wild card - for the first time since Jan. 15. The Islanders are currently one point up on the Philadelphia Flyers (57 points), but the Flyers hold two games in hand.

"It's frustrating obviously when we give it up late," John Tavares said. "[We'll] take the positives, but it's getting down to crunch time. We had a chance to win the game in the last minute, obviously we want to get those two points."
Here are three takeaways from Monday's game.

1. A FRUSTRATING FINISH:

The Islanders felt they played one of their best third periods in some time on Monday. They did everything but score to start the final frame, generating quality chances on Pekka Rinne (24 saves), while limiting the Predators to one shot through the first 15 minutes.
"I thought we played a really good third period," Cizikas said. "We did everything we wanted to. We got pucks in deep, didn't turn anything over, we played a solid third, it was just a tough ending."
With the Predators net empty, Ryan Johansen roofed a rebound over Jaroslav Halak (42 saves).
"It was a shot from the point, rebound right on his tape, those things happen, they have six guys out there," Cizikas said. "I think we did a good job of keeping to the outside and not giving them any grade A chances and it was just kind of an unlucky rebound there."
The frustration continued into overtime, as John Tavares hit a crossbar on a two-on-one and a sprawling Rinne robbed Mathew Barzal off a cross-ice feed from Jordan Eberle. Halak stopped a pair of overtime breakaways on Viktor Arvidsson and Craig Smith, but Roman Josi broke through for the game winner at 3:42.
"It was our best period in a long time so it was disappointing not to get two points," Head Coach Doug Weight said. "That was our best period, and unfortunately six on five, they scored a goal, and as we know, I think both teams could've won it four times in overtime so it's just a crapshoot."

2. MAYFIELD LEAVES WITH LOWER-BODY INJURY:

The Islanders depleted blue line was dealt another blow, as Scott Mayfield left the game with a lower-body injury after blocking a P.K. Subban shot in the first period.
The already shorthanded blue line has been without Calvin de Haan since Dec. 16 and without Johnny Boychuk since Dec. 28.
With Mayfield out, the remaining five defensemen were asked to play some big minutes. Nick Leddy (29:49), Adam Pelech (26:56) and Ryan Pulock (22:39) all set career-highs in time on ice, with Pelech beating his previous high by over three minutes.
Weight did not have an update on Mayfield's condition after the game. Dennis Seidenberg is currently the Islanders lone extra defenseman.

3. ISLES GIVE UP 47 SHOTS:

The Predators put 47 shots on Jaroslav Halak on Monday. The game marked the Islanders third straight contest allowing 45+ shots, as they've given up 50, 49 and 47 in the past three games, respectively. Monday also marked the 20th straight game the Islanders had allowed 30 shots, a club record.

POSTGAME VIDEO