The New York Islanders (28-27-7) defeated the Winnipeg Jets (42-16-4) 3-2 on Tuesday night in UBS Arena. It couldn’t have been more poetic if it is indeed the send-off game for Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri.
As the final horn sounded, with it came the end of any notion that this New York Islanders (25-25-7) team could possibly contend this season.
But, very notably, pending unrestricted free agents Brock Nelson — No. 1 on most trade target projection boards — and Kyle Palmieri both remained in the lineup on Tuesday as president/general manager Lou Lamoriello opted not to hold his assets out for protection. Nor, for that matter, was any other potential trade target protected.
The New York Islanders (25-23-7) face the Dallas Stars (38-16-2) in the first game back after the 4 Nations Face-Off. Ilya Sorokin vs Jake Oettinger is the expected goalie matchup. The Isles Morning Minute is presented by Acrisure.
The Winnipeg Jets have now lost three consecutive games, losing 3-2 to the New York Islanders to kick off their four-game road trip.