The <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/new-york-islanders/news">New York Islanders </a>couldn’t find much energy amid their efforts to stay in contention for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, losing 4-1 to the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/tampa-bay-lightning/news">Tampa Bay Lightning</a> on Tuesday night.&nbsp;



Yet, Anthony Duclair was among those who struggled the most, losing pucks while stick handling and only playing 12:15 before earning an admonishing comment from head coach Patrick Roy.



“He was God awful. He had a bad game, and that’s why I didn’t play him a lot and he’s lucky to be in the lineup. Sorry if I lose it on him, but that’s how I feel,” <a href="https://x.com/milesbolt/status/1907259323291500608">Roy said</a> post-game. “He’s not skating, he’s not competing, he’s not moving his feet. He’s not playing up to what we expect from him.”



The loss continued a struggling spell for the Islanders, losing their sixth straight game.<div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="135"></div>



Duclair has just seven goals and 11 points in 43 games this season, averaging 15:06 of ice time per night in a year that has seen the Islanders post a 32-32-10 record.&nbsp;



His playing time has also been cut dramatically over the last three games. He skated 11:05 against the Lightning on Saturday and 10:10 against the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/carolina-hurricanes/news">Carolina Hurricanes</a> on Sunday, all below his season average.



After the loss, the Islanders sit on 74 points from 74 games, five points back of the final wildcard playoff spot, currently held by the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/montreal-canadiens/news">Montreal Canadiens</a> on 79 points.&nbsp;



Roy, who also had his moments with Duclair when they crossed paths from 2011-2013 with the QMJHL’s Québec Remparts, spoke to reporters for just over two minutes in a frustrated post-game press conference.&nbsp;



However, despite their differences, Duclair had a lot of success under Roy in Québec, scoring 116 points in 118 games over the two seasons. Reuniting was one of the factors that led him to the Islanders as a free agent.&nbsp;<div class="injected-ad" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="1" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="169"></div>



“[Roy] is a big reason for me coming to the Island. I played for him, and I know what to expect,” <a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/duclair-s-excited-to-join-islanders-reunite-with-roy">Duclair said after signing</a> as a free agent ahead of the 2024-25 season. “I’m extremely, extremely excited to be joining the Islanders and I’m very excited to be coached by him again. It’s a great fit.”



The Islanders will look to snap their six game losing streak when they face the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/minnesota-wild/news">Minnesota Wild</a> on April 4, starting their final eight games which include two matchups against the <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/washington-capitals/news">Washington Capitals</a> amid <a href="https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/capitals-alex-ovechkin-scores-goal-no-891-now-four-away-from-nhl-record">Alexander Ovechkin’s chase </a>to break Wayne Gretzky’s NHL goalscoring record.