7, the New Unlucky Number

Islanders 3 : Wild 4 (OT)

Bill Guerin scored a goal. Andy Hilbert scored a goal. Sean Bergenheim even gave them a late lead in the third that would have ended the Isles' losing streak at 6. But the Minnesota Wild just wouldn't allow for it.

Brian Rolston scored two goals, including the late-tying goal at 16:36 of the third period, and Brent Burns scored his tenth goal of the season in overtime, to give the Wild a 4-3 win that left the Islanders completely winded, and probably wondering just what it is that they need to do to get back on the winning track. Two screened shots went in as goals for the Wild, ones that Rick DiPietro (14 saves) had no reaction to, and then the tying goal by Rolston was one where Rolston was all alone on the weak side, catching DiPietro out of position before tapping it in neatly. The OT goal was scored by defenseman Burns after Radek Martinek accidentally kicked to him the rebound from Wild forward Marian Gaborik.

On the other side of the ice, Nicklas Backstrom started off a little slow, but was solid (26 saves), making, among others, a great stop on Jeff Tambellini's awesome breakaway chance in which he was more patient- and perhaps desperate- than the young forward.

Mike Comrie, who now has four points in two games, recorded two assists and was +1 on the night, but even that couldn't help the Isles garner a win, as they settle for only a point and add another loss to their skid (now at 7). Isles broadcaster Billy Jaffe put it this way: "You just have to look at the positive in this game; otherwise, you're just throwing in the towel, and there is no need to do that with plenty of time in this NHL season." I absolutely agree. This game was a better defensive game, and hey, the Isles scored some goals again- but how long will this desperate situation be such? To stay in the race, they have to sustain leads and take them early as well- some may argue that battling back is easier than keeping a lead, but after a while both can be difficult.