Two teams adjusting to new head coaches rolled into Elmont and put on an uneven show for the New York Islanders home opener. The Florida Panthers prevailed, 3-1, on the strength of a go-ahead goal early in the third period, just 30 seconds after Noah Dobson had tied the game.
For the first game under Lane Lambert, it was a work in progress. That’s about all you can say at this point. The Isles had stretches where they looked cohesive and like they knew what they were supposed to do and wanted to do.