N.Y. Islanders: Off to Pittsburgh With 2-0 Series Lead

From the desk of:  BARRY TROTZ PAJAMA PARTY

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2018-2019

PLAYOFFS

Isles lead series; 2-0

I - NYI 4; PITT 3

II - NYI 3; PITT 1

III - Sunday @ PITT

Look What the Long Islanders Did to the Penguins ... Again!

After skating through a scoreless first period, Pittsburgh struck midway through the second when Erik Gudbranson converted an Evgeni Malkin feed at the 10:26 mark.  Less than three minutes later Anthony Beauvillier tied the score with assists from Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle.

The third period was all Islanders.  Eberle put his team ahead at 7:54 off another assist from Barzal and help from blue-liner Johnny Boychuk.  If that wasn't good enough, there's this:  The Islanders scored a power play goal.  That's right!  Josh Bailey effectively sealed the deal at 11:38 with assists from Anders Lee and Devon Toews.

Sealed the deal with over nine minutes left?

Yep.

There's a reason why the Islanders were the lone NHL team to keep their opponents under 200 goals this season.  With nary a change in roster, thank Barry Trotz and the defensive system he put in place.  Through two games now, Sidney Crosby (on the heels of a 100-point season) has been limited to just three shots on goal and zero points in over 40-minutes of ice time.  That said, they better keep their eye on Phil Kessel who through two games now has 12 shots on goal.

Then there's Robin Lehner.  Whether or not he's the answer to the Islanders goal tending prayers of the last few years remains to be seen.  But where would they be without him?  He has so far faced 77 shots and stopped 74 of them for a .948 save percentage and a 1.93 GAA through the first two games.  In 46 regular season appearances, he posted a .930 save percentage and a 2.13 GAA.

No John Tavares; no problem.  Under Trotz, the Islanders have gone from an 80-point non contender last season, to a 103-point team poised to exact revenge upon the Penguins, whom eliminated them in the first round of the 2012-2013 playoffs.