Schwartz: Islanders looking for answers as they continue to shoot blanks

The Islanders did a lot of good things in Tuesday night's 1-0 loss to the Red Wings in front of 12,739 fans at UBS Arena. They certainly played well defensively, and Ilya Sorokin continues to shine following back surgery - he has allowed just four goals on 72 shots through his three starts. The Islanders outshot the Red Wings 29-10 and numerous opportunities to score.

But for the third time in six games, the Islanders couldn't find the back of the net.

"We dominated every department of the game," said Head Coach Patrick Roy. "It really sucks but it's the way it is. We gotta find a way to put those pucks in the net, period."

For the Islanders, it would be more of a concern if they weren't getting chances, but the frustration comes from the fact that they are generating opportunities, including some great looks Tuesday night.

The chances were there, but Detroit netminder Alex Lyon kept them all out of the net.

"Some guys maybe want a chance at those looks again," said Kyle Palmieri. "We believe in each other in this room. I don't think it reflects how we feel about our group. Sometimes it goes your way and sometimes it doesn't but I think we play that way and keep generating and their going to go our way."

Roy pointed out that the Islanders have to do a better job of creating traffic in front of the net and making life more difficult for the opposing goalies.

That might be the missing link right now for the Islanders, because they were certainly buzzing offensively on Tuesday night at even strength and over the first two of three failed power plays, including seven shots on the second man-advantage.

Now they just need to get some pucks across the goal line.

"We can definitely find ways to get more dangerous looks," said Noah Dobson. "It's a matter of capitalizing our chances when we get them. There's a lot of positives. We just have to stick with it and get ready for the next one."

With the loss, the Islanders dropped to 2-2-2 on the season and the offensive futility remains a problem.

It doesn't help that they lost forward Anthony Duclair to a right leg injury on Saturday night. It's a long-term injury for Duclair, with President and General Manager Lou Lamoriello telling MSG Networks before the game that there would be some news about Duclair "over the next 72 hours."

Is there reason for concern?

"Yes, you want to score every night," said Roy. "No, because I think eventually the puck will bounce our way. I'm a positive person so I'd rather think that eventually things will turn our way."

The answers have to come from within, because there really aren't any other options. The team's salary cap issues will going to make it difficult for Lamoriello to bring in help, and there probably aren't any immediate solutions down in Bridgeport.

It's up to this group to ignite the offense. The next chance for the Islanders to get things going offensively will be Friday night, when they travel to Newark to take on the Devils.