N.Y. Islanders: Semyon Varlamov Saves Long Island From Elimination

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 3-2

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

IV - TBL 4; NYI 1

V - NYI 2; TBL 1*

*double-overtime

Semyon Varlamov Short Circuits Bolts Through Double Overtime

The pressure was squarely on Semyon Varlamov to steal a game.  It took 92:30 minutes, but like a thief in the night he does just that.  He faces 37 shots and stops all but one.  Once Tampa does score, Varlamov pitches a shutout over the ensuing sixty-seven minutes of play.  It's the first time in five games and only the third time since entering the bubble that Tampa has been held to one goal or less. 

It's a good thing too, as the Islanders are held to just 24 shots on goal through four and a half periods of hockey. 

Through two periods shots on goal were 15-12 in favor of the Bolts.  They out-shoot the Islanders 9-5 in the third, then trade four shots on goal during the first overtime.  But the Islanders were out-shot again by an 8-4 margin in the second overtime making Semyon Varlamov the brightest star of the game. 

The onus is now on the skaters in front of him to get the Islanders through to game seven.  After going just 1/14 on the power play through the first four games, Long Island finally gets a timely goal at 15:41 of the first period by Ryan Pulock giving the Isles a 1-0 lead.  But four minutes into the second period the Islanders get caught in a change; Victor Hedman collects a rebound and blasts it past Varlamov tying the game at one.

Long Island kills three power lays.  None more important than a four-minute minor called against Anthony Beaullivier for high sticking at 18:37 of the third period that spills into overtime.

Midway through the second overtime Kevin Shattenkirk whiffs on a shot attempt.  The puck is poked up ice by Anders Lee who catches up with it along the left side.  Joining him on the right is Jordan Eberle.  Lee feeds a beautiful slider to Eberle who converts on a one-timer that beats Andrei Vasilevskiy glove side for the win.

The Islanders are now 2/17 on the power play.  Tampa is 4/16, however, three goals come in game one.  Otherwise, the Bolts since game two are 1/10 on the power play.  Goals scored since game two are presently 10-9 in favor of the Lightning.

Through five games both teams get "The Point" - the Lightning are 3-0 when center Brayden Point is on the ice; the Islanders are 2-0 when Brayden Point is not on the ice.  On that note, Johnny Boychuck was back on the ice for the first time since sustaining an injury against Florida.