N.Y. Islanders Beat Themselves in Game Three

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

Penguins lead Islanders; 2-1

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

II - PITT 2; NYI 1

III - PITT 5; NYI 4

Penguins Unphased By Long Island's Physicality

The Islanders continue pushing the Penguins around.  They once again outhit the Penguins by a 47-29 margin bringing the grand total through three games to 165-111 in favor of the Islanders.  This speaks of the forecheck, back-checking, and every other kind of check.  At 5:35 of the third, all decorum leaves the building.  All ten skaters have at it.  Afterwhich, the Islanders reap the benefits of Anthony Beauvillier's game-tying goal.  They even scored on the power play for a change!

But this is only getting the Islanders so far.  Most times during this series, they're playing right into Pittsburgh's hands.  They're not defending well, and, if truth be told, Semyon Varlamov played a terrible game.  Josh Baily, Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson, defenseman Noah Dobson all finish with a minus-two.

Pittsburgh scored at 2:01 of the first period.  It might as well have been within the first two minutes, which, we know, is a cardinal sin.

After Scott Mayfield tied the game midway through the second, Jeff Carter put the Pens back in front exactly two and a half minutes later - that's a mistake.  Then yielding a third goal with under two minutes left in the second period is indeed a cardinal sin, much less a huge mistake.  

Early in the third, Cal Clutterbuck cut the Islanders deficit to one.  Anthony Beauvillier then ties the game at three at the 5:54 mark.  However, Clutterbuck gets whistled at 6:23 for a costly interference penalty.  On the power play, Jeff Carter does it again, scoring within forty seconds and putting Pittsburgh back in front - a mistake.  Cal Clutterbuck somewhat makes up for his indiscretion with his second goal, tying the score at four.  

At 16:24 of the third period, Branden Tanev scores the decisive goal.  That's what happens when you're playing catch-up hockey.

You might say Semyon Varlamov allowed a couple of soft goals, particularly the first.  He faces just 27 shots on goal and yields five very ill-timed goals.  Coach Trotz is now faced with making a critical goalie decision down 2-1 in the series.

And where is Mathew Barzal?