Islanders Struggle in Brutal Loss to Kings Ahead of Trade Deadline

New York team looks out of sync in back-to-back defeats on California road trip

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The New York Islanders suffered a 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday night, just a day before the NHL trade deadline. The Islanders were outmatched from the start, falling behind 3-0 before a late rally fell short. The defeat came on the heels of a 5-1 loss to the Anaheim Ducks the previous night, leaving the Islanders searching for answers as the trade deadline approaches.

Why it matters

The Islanders' poor performances on their California road trip raise concerns about the team's direction and potential need for roster changes ahead of the trade deadline. With the Islanders struggling to find consistent line combinations and lacking net presence, the losses highlight areas that general manager Mathieu Darche may need to address to help the team get back on track.

The details

The Islanders were thoroughly outplayed by the Kings, falling behind 3-0 in the second period before a late goal from Bo Horvat gave them some hope. However, the Kings quickly regained control, scoring two more goals to put the game out of reach. The Islanders struggled with turnovers, a weak power play, and an inability to generate scoring chances around the net.

  • The Islanders lost 5-1 to the Anaheim Ducks on March 5, 2026.
  • The Islanders lost 5-3 to the Los Angeles Kings on March 6, 2026, the eve of the NHL trade deadline.

The players

Mathieu Darche

The general manager of the New York Islanders who may need to make roster changes ahead of the trade deadline to address the team's struggles.

Patrick Roy

The head coach of the New York Islanders who expressed optimism about the team's line combinations before the recent losses.

Ilya Sorokin

The Islanders' goaltender who kept the score from reaching embarrassing proportions in the loss to the Kings.

Bo Horvat

The Islanders' forward who scored a goal in the final second of the second period to bring the team within 3-1.

Darcy Kuemper

The Kings' goaltender who made it difficult for the Islanders to generate scoring chances.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

The takeaway

The Islanders' back-to-back losses on their California road trip highlight the team's struggles to find consistent line combinations and generate scoring chances, raising concerns about their direction ahead of the trade deadline. The poor performances may prompt general manager Mathieu Darche to consider roster changes to help the team get back on track and make a push for the playoffs.