In the shortest month of the year, the Islanders fell out of the top three in the Metropolitan Division but added two players before the trade deadline. New York’s 6-6-3 month was highlighted by Kieffer Bellows’ NHL debut and first two goals plus a pair of jersey retirements. Before the last full month of the season begins, let’s look back at February.

Feb 1: Vancouver: 4, Islanders: 3 (OT) at Barclays Center

A comeback the came up short was the story of this game for the Islanders. Down 3-1 in the second period, Jordan Eberle brought them within one before the end of that frame and Brock Nelson tied it with 26 seconds to go to get the Islanders a point. Quinn Hughes was the hero, however, as he floated a shot past Thomas Greiss for the game-winner. The win pushed Vancouver’s win streak at the time to five games.

Feb 4: Islanders: 4, Dallas: 3 (OT) at Barclays Center

The Islanders bounced back and ended up on the winning side of an overtime game. Mat Barzal scored a highlight-reel goal with under four minutes to play to tie it at three and Anthony Beauvillier scored the overtime winner, his second goal of the night.

Feb 6: Islanders: 5, Los Angeles: 3 at Barclays Center

A comeback win led by Kieffer Bellows. This is not a dream. The Islanders fell behind 3-1 in the second period to the lowly Kings but the youngster, in his second career game, jump-started the comeback. Bellows scored his first career NHL goal to pull New York within one in the second and followed it up with the game-winner in the third. The Islanders finished their homestand against Western Conference 2-0-1.

Feb 8: Tampa Bay: 3, Islanders: 1 at Amalie Arena

A concerning game for the offense as New York as they only managed 17 shots on Andrei Vasilevsky. Their only goal came with just under eight minutes left in the third period. Former Sound Tiger Carter Verhaeghe scored the game-winner. It was another loss against a hot team as Tampa extended its win streak to six.

Feb 10: Islanders: 5, Washington: 3 at Capital One Arena

The Islanders dominated the Metropolitan Division leaders for about 50 minutes and came out with a huge win. A 5-1 second period lead turned into 5-3 before the end of the frame but the Islanders held strong in the third.

Feb 11: Islanders: 5, Philadelphia: 3 at NYCB Live

In an instant classic, the Islanders put up three goals in the first period to begin with a 3-0 lead. The Flyers would grind back to get within one goal headed into the third. Sean Couturier scored with 1:32 left in regulation to tie it. Not wanting to give their Metro Division rivals a point, the Islanders came down and scored on a Ryan Pulock blast with 41 seconds left to win it. The range of emotions in those 53 seconds was unlike any other game from the season thus far. It was a big win, especially considering that it came in regulation.

Feb 13: Nashville: 5, Islanders: 0 at Bridgestone Arena

“Sh*t happens” -Arthur Staple

Feb 15: Vegas: 1, Islanders: 0 at T-Mobile Arena

Another game with under 20 shots for the Islanders and it mattered as Semyon Varlamov was fantastic, making 42 saves. A highlight reel performance wasted thanks to a stagnant offense.

Feb 17: Arizona: 2, Islanders: 1 at Gila River Arena

The Islanders finally scored a goal in the third period of this game but it was too little too late. The Yotes went up 2-0 thanks to a Connor Garland goal earlier in the frame. Andy Greene made his Islanders debut and recorded an assist.

Feb 19: Colorado: 3, Islanders: 1 at Pepsi Center

Another late goal to break up a shutout was the second and final goal of the four-game road trip. Missed opportunities was the theme as New York couldn’t solve Pavel Francouz. The Islanders were outscored 11-2 on their 0-4-0 road trip.

Feb 21: Islanders: 4, Detroit: 1 at NYCB Live

John Tonelli’s number 27 was raised to the rafters in the first of two jersey retirement ceremonies this month. On the ice, New York was more than happy to grab a feel-good win over the worst team in the league. Eberle notched his first hat trick as an Islander and the Red Wings were eliminated from playoff contention.

Feb 23: Islanders: 4, Sharks: 1 at NYCB Live

Captain Anders Lee led the way with a goal and two assists while Varlamov picked up 29 saves. The Islanders got revenge on the team that ended a five-game win streak back in November. Devon Toews and Josh Bailey also scored.

Feb 25: Rangers: 4, Islanders: 3 (OT) at NYCB Live

Jean-Gabriel Pageau made his Islanders debut in the final matchup of the season against the Rangers. Pageau got the Islanders on the board in the second while Eberle and Nelson scored in the third to complete a two-goal comeback with Nelson’s goal coming in the final minute. Mike Zibanejad scored the overtime winner, however, spoiling the deadline acquisition’s Long Island debut. Pageau also fought Jacob Trouba after Trouba threw a big hit on Michael Dal Colle.

Feb 28: St. Louis: 3, Islanders: 2 (OT) at Enterprise Center

The Islanders had a dominant opening period that resulted in a 2-1 lead after 20 minutes. Pageau scored a power-play goal, becoming the first Islander since Valteri Filppula to score in his first two games with the team. The next 40 minutes were not great for New York. They were outshot 21-4 over the next two periods and Vince Dunn finally tied the game with 1:44 to go. Colton Parayko beat Greiss with a wraparound in overtime after a Beauvillier turnover.

Feb 29: Boston: 4, Islanders: 0 at NYCB Live

Butch Goring got his number retired but the team wasn’t able to get a goal for him. The Bruins scored twice in the first period and took the crowd out of it. Despite 13 third-period shots, the Islanders finished with 25 on goal. Long Island native Charlie McAvoy scored for Boston.
The Islanders are 35-21-8 and currently sit in the first wild-card spot with an equal chance to go up or down. A critical March lies ahead, beginning with a visit from the Montreal Canadiens on Mar. 3.

John Smark