If the New York Islanders were looking for a wake-up call, Friday night delivered it—loudly and uncomfortably.
Against a Vancouver team sitting near the bottom of the NHL standings, the Isles turned in what was arguably their worst performance of the season, falling 4-1 to the Canucks in a game that was effectively over before it ever found its footing.
Kiefer Sherwood scored three goals for his second hat trick of the season as Vancouver cruised to its third straight win, completing a sweep of the New York area in the process. Thatcher Demko stopped 22 shots, but rarely had to steal anything as the Islanders struggled to generate pace, structure, or urgency.