The New York Islanders have done enough to withstand that pressure, though, to have the series deadlocked heading into Friday night’s Game 5 in Sunrise.
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As the series shifts back to Brooklyn for Game 6, the Islanders are going home – or are going back to their newly adopted home – with a chance to win their first Stanley Cup playoff series in a generation.
After reviewing all available replays and consulting with NHL Hockey Operations staff, the Linesmen were inconclusive in determining whether the Panthers were off-side prior to the goal. The Islanders lead the series 3-2 and can wrap it up at home Sunday in Game 6. Quine ended up playing and Islanders head coach Jack Capuano started him on the top line with John Tavares and Kyle Okposo.
Florida lost to Colorado in Game 4 of the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals in a three-overtime affair which lasted 104 minutes 31 seconds. And I think even Andrews response was an acknowledgement of that. We have to find a way like we did in Florida when we had secondary scoring and (Game 3) when we had secondary scoring. “The kid over there (Greiss) is playing really well”.
The power play was set up when Panthers center Derek MacKenzie was called for slashing, and that’s when the 23-year-old Quine came through, putting an end to an exhausting game.
The Islanders swarmed the ice in celebration.
“It’s all been pretty fast, I’m trying to enjoy it”, Quine said of the past two weeks. “When I saw the arena, I didn’t think much of it. I thought basically the broadcast location’s terrific”.
Greiss’ biggest stop came with 12:41 left in the first overtime after Islanders defenseman Calvin De Haan grabbed the puck in the crease, which was ruled an infraction. Greiss didn’t bit on Barkov’s fake, easily turning aside the last moment backhand to preserve the tie, which would continue into a… “I should have scored”.
Chris Tierney and Matt Nieto scored early goals and Joe Pavelski got another late score for the Sharks, who stared down the demons of their past playoff failures against Los Angeles and advanced to the second round for just the second time since 2011.
Florida’s SAT Close rating (total of blocked and unblocked shots in one-goal or overtime situations at five-on-five) was a minus-99 in the regular season, ranking 18th in the league.
“Hopefully he’s alright”, Panthers defenseman Brian Campbell said.
Florida tied the score with 18:01 left in the third period.
Jonathan Huberdeau got knocked down in the left circle for what looked like it would become a giveaway.
Sasha Barkov finally got Florida on the board just two minutes into the final period as he jammed home a slick pass from Alex Petrovic that slipped through the skates of Jagr just as he crashed the net. Greiss has been spectacular, the Islanders power play has delivered key goals, unlikely players like Quine and Thomas Hickey have stepped up in key moments and John Tavares has, when the chips are down, performed.
That changed relatively early in Game 5. “I’m going to New York to cover the modern-day New York Islanders”.
Florida was led by Barkov, who scored the Panthers’ goal, and goalie Roberto Luongo, who stopped 40 shots.
It was a good sign for the Islanders. He also said there is opportunity for Seattle to join the fray at this time. Greiss was brilliant time and again, his best save possibly coming midway through the second when he stoned a wide-open Aaron Ekblad from close range.
Then Florida tied it, and eventually overtime would await. We played a great game.
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With the series headed back to Brooklyn, the Islanders have the edge.
