And in the end it didn’t matter. In a fast, free-flowing sport where players change on the fly and ugly bounces or unusual deflections are so often meaningful, individuals rarely exhibit any firm control over outcomes.
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For 59 minutes, it appeared as if the series would go to a decisive seventh game Tuesday night in Florida. But in the playoffs, when each game is life and death? “Anyone can score at any minute”. “There’s a big group of us that have been a part of a 25-game losing streak and being the laughingstock of the League”.
The New York Islanders did something they haven’t done in quite a long time last night. The territorial matchup was lopsided. After falling short twice in the last three seasons, they had a chance to do it at home, and avoid a scary Game 7 against the youthful (most of the roster) and tireless (Jaromir Jagr) Florida Panthers.
The double-overtime tally from Tavares immediately joined the annuls of Islanders’ goal-scoring history. “He works so hard, and to have the season he did, it wasn’t the way that he wanted to play all season, but I think the last four weeks have really shown how hard we works and he deserves it”.
“When I got the rebound, I realized how far he came out”, Tavares said.
Tavares’ fifth goal of the series, at 10:41 of the second extra period, gave NY a 2-1 victory in Game 6 on Sunday night, sending the Islanders to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1993. He has 12 goals and 11 assists in his past 16 games, including five goals and four assists in the first round. He effectively carried an otherwise overmatched team to victory.
It was the Islanders’ first back-to-back playoff wins since 2002. That was a heck of a series. It’s obviously time for us to get over this hump. It’s high time we give credit where credit is due.
It was certainly a long-time coming for the Islanders. The Islanders tied the game and won it in double-overtime.
Sunday night was worth it for all if Islanders Nation.
Coach Jack Capuano got his coaching start in Florida.
But getting back to our question, if No. 91 is going to back up his unmistakable talent with legendary postseason performances like this, which other athlete in NY can you call better as we sit here today? We know what it’s like to be on the other side.
“I thought we were the better team most nights and I don’t think the hockey gods were with us at all”, Florida coach Gerard Gallant said.
Typically, a penalty shot results from a goal-crease scramble when a defending player covers the puck with his hand or body from a prone position on the ice. Huberdeau now leads the league with 34 SOG. The hockey gods weren’t with us. Luongo was sure the puck was beneath him. His defencemen were sure the puck was beneath him.
Prior to the goal by John Tavares that tied the game the referees seemed to have swallowed their whistles.
Tavares’ preternatural awareness made for a great play and a big moment.
Greiss went to the bench with just under two minutes to play in the third for a sixth skater and the Panthers missed a golden chance on the empty net, with Vincent Trocheck shoving one wide of the goal.
The early 80s was a great time to be a fan of the Islander franchise. John Tavares should’ve been picked up.
“They’ve waited a long time”, Tavares said.
New York Islanders goalie Thomas Greiss (1) makes a glove save in the first period of Game 6 of an NHL hockey first-round Stanley Cup playoff series in New York, Sunday, April 24, 2016.
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Barkov’s backhander was handled by Greiss, and play continued.
