If a game takes place on Long Island with no goal and almost no penalties, does it make a sound?
The Islanders and Kraken faced off to a stalemate that went all the way to extra-extra time in the shootout before the Isles prevailed for the extra point. It goes down as a 1-0 win for the Isles, though Joey Daccord and David Rittich allowed no actual goals and each are credited with shutouts.
The building finally got to celebrate in the last two shootout attempts — the “yyyEEAH” very audible, a pent-up release and relief — as Bo Horvat had to finish to convert to tie the breakaway contest, then Kyle Palmieri sniped the decisive winner.
The Isles nearly doubled the Kraken in shots and probably would’ve felt most robbed if they were the team that left this one with zero points, but overall it was a tightly played contest. Bo Horvat hit a crossbar and the Isles had a few other close chances and scrambles on Daccord, while Rittich was strong when needed, helped at least once by his post on a wide-angle shot.
Not sure anyone who saw the Isles under Lane Lambert and then under Patrick Roy last year would ever imagine these two coaches’ teams playing to a scoreless draw, but there you have it.
For Rittich in particular, it continues a strong run of providing absolutely critical backup goaltending for Ilya Sorokin. Both have been very good lately, prompting no need to overuse Sorokin.
The busy Olympic-year schedule does not let up. This seven-game homestand continues with the Bruins on Wednesday, then a Friday post-Thanksgiving afternoon with the Flyers, then 1 p.m. on Sunday with the Capitals.
All three of those teams currently trail the Islanders in the standings, though not by much…