Takeaways: Isles Extend Point Streak to 5 Games in OT Loss To Kings

The New York Islanders rallied to pick up a point in a 3-2 OT loss to the LA Kings on Tuesday night at UBS Arena.

Victor Eklund and Matthew Schaefer scored to erase a 2-0 deficit, but Brandt Clarke scored the overtime winner at 2:43 of the extra frame and Artemi Panarin scored twice in regulation.  

While it was a disappointing result, the Islanders extended their point streak to five straight games (3-0-2) and have taken at least a point in seven of the first 10 games of the season.

The Isles had to dig out of an early 2-0 hole, as Panarin scored twice in the opening period. The Islanders carried much of that stretch, but were unable to solve Los Angeles goaltender Darcy Kuemper until their 31st shot of the game at 14:06 of the second period.  

"As well as we were playing and executing, and doing what we wanted to do, you’re in a 2-0 hole,” Head Coach Pete DeBoer said. “It's how do you handle that? I love the way we stuck with it. An immature team in that situation will open it up and try and cheat for offense, and we didn't do that. I thought we stuck to what we were doing well and just kept going at it and finally found a way to crack them and get back in the game so great maturity by our group.” 

Powered by a critical stop on a penalty shot from Semyon Varlamov, Eklund finally broke through with the first power- play goal of his career to make it 2-1 in the second period. Eklund has a goal in back-to-back games, and Emil Heineman recorded an assist for a helper in consecutive games. 

Schaefer’s first goal of the season tied the game at 2-2 7:06 into the third period. He has at least a point in all six home games and is tied for the second most goals by a teenage defenseman in NHL history (24).  

Schaefer is tied for the second-most goals by a teenager in Islanders history and tied for the seventh-most points by an NHL teenage defenseman.  

It was an offensive onslaught for the Islanders who had a season-high 43 shots. Unfortunately for the Isles, Kuemper stood tall and made 41 saves. It’s the first time Kuemper has made 40 or more saves in a game since April 5, 2024. Clarke sealed it in OT to cap a long Kings possession. 

“I thought we played a really good hockey game today,” Bo Horvat said. “Credit to their goalie, he played really well tonight. Varly made some great saves for us too... I thought we carried the play for a lot of that game it was just one of those nights where couldn't find in the back of the net enough to give Varly the win.” 

Logan Stanley, Tony DeAngelo and Brayden Schenn each added an assist as Schaefer had a game-high nine shots on goal.  

The Islanders are now 5-3-2 on the season.

Varlamov Picks Up Schaefer, Guides Isles To Point 

After Panarin scored twice in 10:46 in the opening period, the Kings had a chance to make it a 3-0 in the second period as Adrian Kempe barreled down the ice on a penalty shot after a penalty to Schaefer.  

Varlamov – who made his first start at UBS Arena since Nov. 25, 2024, – stopped the Kempe shot and “Varly” chants rained out from the Isles faithful. It was a save that ignited the Islanders comeback and helped power the team to an important point.  

“I'm happy to be back,” Varlamov said. “When they're chanting your name, it's always giving you the extra boost. The fans are unbelievable. The building was very loud today, and it was very exciting game, fun game to play. Whole game and then overtime. Unfortunately, we gave up the goal at the end but got the point so I'm pretty happy with the point.”

Varlamov’s stop allowed the Islanders to stay within striking distance of a Kings team that received a herculean effort from Kuemper.  

The Islanders were out shooting the Kings 28-11 at the time of Varlamov’s stop with 9:01 to play in the second period. Eklund scored just over three minutes later and Schaefer tied it in the third.  

Schaefer – who’s holding penalty created the penalty shot – skated down the ice and fist bumped Varlamov, a sign that this team is picking each other up.  

“To give him that bump it feels nice I wish he didn't have to save my bacon for me kind of earlier on,” Schaefer said. “But when you have two goalies like that back there, that can help you in case you get burned or you take a penalty and have a penalty shot late in the game, they're awesome back there and they help us out.” 

It was a shaky start for Varlamov who allowed in two of the first five shots he saw as Panarin tickled the twine twice.  

However, Varlamov rattled off 20 consecutive saves until the overtime winner and allowed the Islanders offense to keep clawing away at the deficit.  

“That's what great goalies do they shut the door and find a way to give your team a chance to get back in the game,” DeBoer said. “I can't point enough to the penalty shot. That’s game over if they score there. It's 3-0 and the lights probably go out and we go home so it was a huge save.”

Next Game  

The Islanders begin their three-game road trip on Sunday against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. Faceoff is set for 6 p.m.