N.Y. Islanders: Flatbush manhandles Tampa in Game One

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Islanders lead series 1-0

I - NYI 5; TBL 3

II - SATURDAY

New York Islanders: Let the bodies hit the ice; repeat three more times...

When speaking of the Stanley Cup playoffs, I'll side with the team coming off a three day layoff over the team coming off a six day layoff every time.  That does not always ring true 100% of the time, but the odds are heavily in my favor.

Therefore, Game One's result came as no surprise to me.

Despite Tampa Bay jumping out to an early lead, I fully expected the Lightning to suck in Wednesday's series opener against the Islanders.  Sure enough, the Bolts, specifically Ben Bishop, did exactly that.

Tampa Bay, however, will not go down quietly.  In fact, the Lightning effectively removed six days worth of rust by the 3rd period.

The real series starts now.

That said, there is still much to extract from Game One.

Don't let the official game stats fool you.  The box score says Tampa actually out-hit the Isles by a 33-29 margin.  In truth, however, they were only bumping into people instead of actually throwing their weight around.  Despite the absence of Steven Stamkos, Tampa still wants to play in open ice.  They do not want the series devolving into an overly physical contest in the corners - which plays right into the Islanders hands.

Listen up Rangers fans!

When the Islanders come ready to hit, they punish.  They turn jerseys into sideboard art.  And on Wednesday, they hit everything in sight.  So the longer this series goes, crashing bodies like the Isles did in Game One will eventually take its toll on Tampa.

When the Rangers played Tampa in last year's Conference Finals, 

Alain Vigneault called off the dogs in Game Seven and got eliminated.  Now look at them.!

Jack Capuano took a puck to the face and stayed behind the bench ... just saying.

When a healthy Steve Bernier and Matt Martin, Cal Clutterbuck and Casey Cizikas play the way they did in Game One, then throw in five hits from new kid on the ice Alan Quine, the Islanders become a scary team to deal with.

The Lightning will find no respite.  Flatbush simply has more PSI than Tampa can handle - (pounds per square Islander).

Behind the Mask

If you haven't caught on by now, or are not familiar with this Trolley, I am a Rangers fan (damn Smurfs!), which gave me an up close view of Ben Bishop during last year's conference finals.

He's a big dude.  His mere presence occupies an inordinately huge amount of net space.  He must be made to move laterally, because, to put it very simply, he sucks at it.  Bishop is a good quality goalie if allowed to remain stationary.  But make him start moving to his left or right, and he's doomed.

Thomas Greiss gets to use his get out of jail free card for allowing two goals in the 3rd period of Game One.

Just regroup, you're doing fine!

N.Y. Islanders: Boisterous Barclays Crowd Celebrates Historic O.T. Victory

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

The First Ever NHL Playoff Game in Brooklyn

was an O.T. Thriller!

Islanders lead series 2-1

I - NYI 5; FLA 4

II - FLA 3; NYI 1

III - NYI 4; FLA 3*

IV- WEDNESDAY

*O.T.

GAME FOUR

Florida Panthers

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

Flatbush Avenue

BROOKLYN

New York Islanders: Smells Like Team Spirit...

Chalk one up for Garth Snow ... whom was slighted last off-season for not having more prospects at the team's disposal.  His detractors argued Brock Nelson alone does not a youth injection make.

The Isles then proceeded to post their second straight 100 point season.

Just saying...

Now all of a sudden his 2013 draft choices are the latest rage.  That's when he selected defenseman Ryan Pulock with the 15th overall pick of the 1st round, and center Alan Quine in the 15th round.   This season he additionally brought in Ottawa's former 2011 2nd round selection, 23-year old center, and native New Yorker, Shane Prince.  None hadn't even appeared on the Islanders radar until late February.

But just like that, the Islanders had youth running wild in Barclays Center - but not before the Panthers took a crowd demoralizing 2-0 lead, scoring goals within the opening minutes of both the 1st and 2nd periods.

The three novices nevertheless helped keep the Islanders within striking distance of the Panthers until late in the 2nd period when the top line of Tavares-Nielsen-Okposo finally took over.

At 5:21, Ryan Pulock converted a power play to make it a 2-1 game.  However, the Isles sustained another punch in the gut when Florida scored just two short minutes later.  They regrouped, and just beyond the midway point Shane Prince cashed in a Pulock feed making it a 3-2 game.

Then at 16:12 of the 2nd, Florida got whistled for a rarely called clipping penalty.  Within a minute of the infraction Frans Nielsen netted the game tying goal off feeds from John Tavares and Kyle Okposo,

... and making the Flatbush Avenue Ice House rock like a Teen Spirit video.

However, the best for Barclays was yet to come, as they were additionally treated to their first ever playoff overtime.  The outcome officially became a thriller at the 12:31 mark when Thomas Hickey scored on assists from Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey, capping off a youth inspired comeback, and an important Game Three victory.

In the meantime, Flatbush Avenue roared.  Shortly thereafter they were having their performance commended by the players.  Both continue venturing into uncharted territory together Wednesday night in Game Four at Barclays Center.

• Suffice it to say, Brooklyn's historic first ever NHL Stanley Cup playoff game was a hit.  The place was packed to 99% capacity - obstructed seats and all.

• The Isles have solid efforts on the penalty kill to thank for their 2-1 series edge, after fending off 6 of 7 power plays through three games.  Their own power play was clicking, scoring two goals in Game Three, and going 3 for 9 to date.

• The Panthers and Islanders have now scored 10 goals apiece.  Through three games, Thomas Greiss, 30 years old, has so far faced 115 shots, made 106 saves, with 9 goals allowed for a .922 Sv% and a 2.83 GAA.

• The Islanders were correct to wear their traditional uniforms for Game Three.  The question is will they don their alternate Brooklyn black uniform for Game Four?