N.Y. Islanders: Ilya Sorokin Grounds Winnipeg Jets

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SATURDAY

Islanders   2

JETS          0

FINAL

Ilya Sorokin Shuts Out Winnipeg Jets; Keeps Semyon Varlamov Season Debut On Ice

With Saturday's victory over the Winnipeg Jets, the Islanders improved to 5-2-2, highlighted by wins in four of their last five contests.  That's nine games down, and four more to go during this North American-wide road trip before the Islanders finally play their first-ever match at their new home arena just off the Cross Island Parkway.

The Jets are lagging in the standings, and the Isles treated them as such.  Ilya Sorokin faced 24 shots on goal and stopped them all.  He has started all nine games this season.  Despite opening the season with two consecutive heavy-handed losses, Sorokin has since turned things on a dime, and Saturday night pitched his third shutout in his last four starts.  Ilya's teammates also blocked another 19 Winnipeg shots attempts.

All this being said, Coach Trotz seems in no rush to insert Semyon Varlamov back into the starting role, although it's understood that day is coming sooner than later.

Anders Lee scored a goal in the first game of the season against the Hurricanes.  Then went the next six games without so much recording a point.  In fact, he is still without an assist through eight games.  But at 3:12 of the first period, Anders Lee gave the Isles a 1-0 lead on a feed from Josh Baily, who together outworked the Jets to force through the game's opening tally.  

After a scoreless second period, Brock Nelson notched his team-high seventh goal just 0:47 into the third period, assisted by Adam Pelech and Kyle Palmieri.  

As noted, Ilya Sorokin took care of the rest.

After a 1-2-1 start, the Islanders are elevating back up to standard.  They have a quick turnaround with a Sunday encounter at Minnesota against the Wild.  

The schedule is indeed as much an adversary as any forthcoming opponent.  But the good teams get through it.

N.Y. Islanders Short Circuit Bolts In Game One At Tampa

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL

Islanders lead Lightning; 1-0

I - NYI 2; TBL 1

GAME TWO
New York Islanders

vs

Tampa Lightning

Islanders Steal Away Home Ice With Opening Win At Tampa

They meet again.  

The long-awaited rematch has begun.

It takes just eight seconds before tempers flare and bodies come together.  But that would eventually play right into Long Island's hands.

New York Islander hockey is the lead story here.  For sixty minutes, they impose their will, offering the Bolts little space to strike and continually directing them outward toward the perimeter.  Tampa finds a big "Do Not Enter" sign hanging around Semyon Varlamov's neck with Islanders' forwards serving as bouncers.

Speaking of which, Long Island's forecheck remains relentless.  They forced Boston into turnovers and did the same to Tampa.  In fact, Kucherov was benched for a spell after making an inferior on-ice decision.  In addition, the Islanders made outlet passes quite problematic for them.

Semyon Varlamov effectively pitches a shutout, but not quite.  At 18:22 of the final period, Brock Nelson gets whistled for high-sticking the now-you-see-him-now-you-don't Nikita Kucherov.  Braiden Point cashes in on the power play with just 0:54 left in the game.  Otherwise, Semyon faces 31 shots, stopping all but one.  He makes seven special teams saves and 23 at even strength.  Said another way, he was brilliant.  Varlamov once again held down the fort and allowed the Islanders to establish a lead - no habitual goal allowed within his first few shots against, just stellar goaltending.

After a scoreless first period, the resurgent Mathew Barzal scores his fourth goal of the playoffs at 12:32 of the second period off a feed from Josh Bailey.  Then at 5:36 of the third, Ryan Pulock scores with an assist from Jordan Eberle.  Barzal now has seven points in his last six games.

N.Y. Islanders Impose Their Will Upon Boston Bruins

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE
PLAYOFFS: ROUND TWO

Islanders defeat Bruins; 4-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

V - NYI 5; BOS 4

VI - NYI 6; BOS 2

*overtime

Boston Gets Blown Out Of The Barn; Isles Advance To Final Four

Looking back, it took Barry Trotz exactly one game to figure out the Bruins.  Afterwhich, it was just a matter of physical execution.  

Game one was not an aberration.  Boston and their perfection line are that good.  Game three was a coin flip; we know that.  The real story was the one-all tie during regulation.  Otherwise, overtime is risky business.  Take away Long Island's two empty-net goals in game six, and the Isles still doubled up on Boston.  All told, the Islanders wind up outscoring Boston by a 22-17 margin.

Wednesday evening started with an inspiring National Anthem.  Good job by Long Island!

At some point, Lou Lamoriello needs to be shoehorned into this conversation.  In 13 regular-season games after his acquisition from the Devils, 36-year old Travis Zajac registered two points, a goal against Boston, and an assist versus the Rangers.  He played just one game in the series against Pittsburgh in which he posted an assist and a plus-two.  Travis was scoreless through the first five games against the Bruins.  Come game six, the veteran of 15 seasons and 57 playoff games while with the Devils opens the scoring at 8:52 of the first period off feeds from Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau - another Lamoriello acquisition.

This time Semyon Varlamov did not yield an early goal, and thus the Isles could play with a lead.  That is until Brad Marchand made Long Island pay for committing two really dumb tripping penalties when at 17:36 of the first, he scored a power-play goal assisted by David Krejci and David Pastrnak.

We've heard it before about Barry Trotz telling his team to keep pressing with the forecheck.  So you know he must have said something during the first intermission.  With mission statement in hand, Brock Nelson stole the puck near Boston's blue line and came barrelling through the right circle to score at 5:20 off feeds from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey.  Then, at 12:39, a forechecking Brock Nelson seized the puck in a major Boston defensive zone faux-pas and scored with another assist from Josh Bailey.

Barry Trotz's system and Lou Lamoriello's acquisitions are punctuated by yet another Boston defensive zone turnover.  Kyle Palmieri converts a rebound unassisted at 16:07, giving the Isles a 4-1 lead.  Former New Jersey Devil Kyle Palmieri now leads the Islanders with seven playoff goals; Brock Nelson is next with six.

A third tripping penalty called against the Islanders (Matt Martin) leads to Brad Marchand's second power-play goal of the game.  Otherwise, Semyon Varlamov does not yield an even-strength goal.  He faces 25 shots on goal, stopping all but two during special teams.  Varlamov rewards his head coach's confidence in him with his fourth victory over Boston.  His only loss came after limiting Boston to just one goal in regulation, then losing game three in overtime.

It was quite appropriate that Cal Clutterbuck and Ryan Pulock should both score into empty nets, respectively, a reward for jobs well done.  Pulock led Isles blueliners with 23:21 minutes and a plus-one.  Clutterbuck, there's a reason why the Islanders a few years ago signed him to an extension.  They get their money's worth every night.

Meanwhile, the Islanders out-bullied the brutish Boston Bruins.  Long Island could have fallen upon the Bruins like a ton of bricks (as they did in game one) if they wanted to but realized a need to tone it down a bit to better sync up the rest of their game.  That said, Long Island in game six provided young Charlie McAvoy a lesson in what it's like playing under duress.  He needed upwards of six minutes to recover from a big hit by Kyle Palmieri ... there's that name again.

This was a sound series victory over the Bruins.

Nuf ced.

N.Y. Islanders Take 3-2 Series Lead Over Boston Bruins

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS
ROUND TWO
Islanders lead Bruins; 3-2

I - BOS 5; NYI 2

II - NYI 4; BOS 3*

III - BOS 2; NYI 1*

IV - NYI 4; BOS 1

V - NYI 5; BOS 4

*overtime

Three Power Play Goals Sink Bruins

David Patrnak, or should I say, Semyon Varlamov did it again.  He yields an early goal within the first few shots of the game, forcing the Islanders to again play from behind.

A Bruin is a Bruin is a Bruin ... despite dominating play in the first period, Sean Kuraly is whistled for a mindless slash upon Noah Dobson at 18:17 of the first period.  Mathew Barzal continues his personal surge with a power-play goal at the 18:49 mark - a real crowd killer - tying the game at one.

A Bruin is a Bruin is a Bruin II ... at 2:56 into the second period, Matt Grzelcyk is penalized for cross-checking Leo Komarov.  Kyle Palmieri makes Boston pay just before the power play was set to expire.

But of course, the lead does not last.  The Islanders have thus far been caught playing Bruins hockey.  Brad Marchant skates around Ryan Pulock and, at 7:27, ties the game at two.

However, the tide starts to change, and now the Islanders have Boston drawn into their own brand of hockey.  Josh Bailey puts the Islanders ahead at 14:30 on feeds from Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anthony Beauvillier.

A Bruin is a Bruin is a Bruin III ... at 15:18 of the second period, Chris Wagner is sent to the box for high-sticking Mathew Barzal.  At 16:38, Jordan Eberle gives Long Island a 4-2 lead; Noah Dobson and Mathew Barzal the assists.

The Bruins pulled goalie Tuukka Rask for the third period.

Brock Nelson repays Boston for the Pastrnak goal when he scores at the 1:59 mark of the third period.

Afterwhich, it becomes a matter for Semyon Varlamov outlasting the Bruins.  Whereas the Islanders generate just 19 shots on goal, Boston fired off 44 shots on goal.  Pastrnak scores on a power-play at the 3:48 mark, and at 14:43, David Krejci pulls the Bruins within one.  But they would score no more.

Semyon Varlamov faces 44 shots stopping four for the win.  

Physicality remains up to snuff; Islanders hold the edge.

Mathew Barzal now has three goals in his last three games and six points in the series.

Kyle Palmieri scored his team-leading sixth goal of the playoffs and his third against the Bruins.

N.Y. Islanders Take Out Penguins In Six

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

NHL STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND TWO

GAME ONE

ISLANDERS

vs.

BRUINS

FROM

Causeway Street Ice Hut

Isles Find Balance in the Force

Hear that..?

That's the sound of a window slamming shut.  

Time is running short for the Penguins.  For several years now, they've suffered poor goaltending and defensive depth.  Far too often, their top two defensemen average 28 and 29 minutes a night.  On this night, Chris Letang registers over 28 minutes.  Four Penguins defensemen finished with a minus-two.  Sidney Crosby and Bryan Rust were minus-three, and Jake Guentzel was a minus-four.

Game Six starts on a down note.  Jeff Carter, there's that name again, scores just 1:27 into the game.  The Isles answer just under four minutes later.  Anthony Beauvillier nets his third of the series on feeds from Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey. 

Scott Mayfield gets whistled at 9:58 of the first for cross-checking Evgeni Malkin.  It served its purpose, but Jake Guentzel made Long Island pay at 11:12 with his first goal of the series.  Then roughly one minute later, Kyle Palmieri ties the game at two off a feed from Jean-Gabriel Pageau.

The Islanders commit their second cardinal sin of the evening when at 1:53 of the second period, Jason Zucker gives the Penguins a 3-2 lead.

After which, the Penguins fall apart like wet toilet paper.

Brock Nelson scores at 8:35, and Ryan Pulock scores 13 seconds later on feeds from Travis Zajac and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  Just under three minutes later, Brock Nelson nets his second goal of the game for a 5-3 lead and the final margin of victory.   

Ilya Sorokin stops 34 of 37 shots on goal and all shots over the final 38:07 minutes of play.

Anthony Beauvillier and Brock Nelson register three points each.  Islanders trade acquisitions: Kyle Palmieri scores three goals in six games, and Travis Zajac, who has played infrequently, finished with a plus-two.

• ICE COLD: Mathew Barzal registers just three assists and a minus-two through six games. 

Long Island wins the series in six.  After being down two games to one, the Isles win three in a row.  Once they toned down the physicality, their overall game synced up.  They will now take on the Boston Bruins, who easily defeated the Washington Capitals in five.  I'm curious to see how they approach this easily more physical match-up.

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?

N.Y. Islanders: Former New Jersey Devil Topples Penguins in Overtime

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

2020-2021 

STANLEY CUP PLAYOFFS

ROUND ONE

Islanders lead Penguins; 1-0

I - NYI 4; PITT 3*

*overtime

Kyle Palmieri Finishes What He Starts

The Islanders have trouble scoring?  Yeah, so let's make a trade?  Oh, it did little to impact offensive production? 

About that ...

Former New Jersey Devil Kyle Palmieri does exactly what the Islanders needed most, score pucks.  He opens the scoring at 7:58 of the first period on feeds from Noah Dobson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau.  But whatever the Islanders did, the Penguins answered right back.   Within minutes Frederick Gaudreau ties the game at one.  Sidney scores the only goal of the second period.  Just 3:33 into the third period, Jean-Gabriel Pageau ties the game at two.  Then at 15:50, Brock Nelson gives the Isles a 3-2 lead with assists from Anthony Beauvillier and Ryan Pulock.  But a mere 36-seconds later, Kasperi Kapanen ties the game at three, and into overtime, they go.

At 16:30 of the extra session, the veteran Kyle Palmieri patiently settles an uncooperative bouncing puck then wrists it high over Tristan Jarry's left shoulder for the game-winner.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau matches Sidney Crosby with five SOG's and one goal but also comes away with two assists for three points.

Getting the start between the pipes, Ilya Sorokin stops 39 of 42 shots on goal, all at even strength.

N.Y. Islanders: Capitals Claim the High Ground

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

WEDNESDAY

Capitals   1

Islanders  0

FINAL/SO

Swing and a Miss..!

Washington draws first blood, but it was like extracting water from a rock.  The teams may have well played this game in sand.  All that skating around got the Islanders and Capitals nowhere.  Sixty minutes of regulation time hockey and no goals in an otherwise evenly contested game.  With all things being relatively equal, the teams dueled through a scoreless overtime session as well.  

Into shootout, they went ...

Semyon Varlamov made a nifty save against T.J. Oshie.  Anthony Beauvillier cashed in at the other end against Ilya Samsonov, but Nicklas Backstrom answered.  Next up, Brock Nelson inexplicably missed wide left ( I mean wide..).  After which, Evgeny Kuznetsov ended it.  

Washington wins rights to the second point.  They finish the night with 64 points.  The Islanders, with 63 points, fall into a tie with the Penguins, who dismantled the Devils. 

No!  Washington's usual starter Vitek Vanecek did not play.  

Ilya Samsonov entered the game with a .904 SV% and 2.79 GAA through 17 appearances.  He previously allowed the Islanders six goals in a game he started back on April Fool's Day.  This time, the joke was on Long Island.  He faced 26 shots on goal and stopped them all, including 24 at even strength.  But the best save he didn't need to make came against Brock Nelson!

One cannot begrudge Semyon Varlamov.  He faced 28 shots on goal, including three on special teams.

Ironically, the last time these teams met, Brock Nelson scored the game's only goal at 13:05 of the third period.

Expect more of the same this coming Saturday, including the Isles continuing plight on the power play.

N.Y. Islanders: First Place Showdown Against Washington Capitals

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

SHOWDOWN

Capitals lead Islanders; 3-2

I - WAS 3; NYI 2

II - WAS 6; NYI 3

III - WAS 3; NYI 1

IV - NYI 8; WAS 4

V - NYI 1; WAS 0

Washington Capitals

vs.

New York Islanders

The Rangers must have been feeling really good about themselves after sweeping four straight from the Devils.  Whatever they were feeling ended Tuesday night when the Isles slapped some reality back into them with a decisive 6-1 victory at The Barn.

• Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba left the game midway through the first period with only five minutes of ice time after getting plastered in the corner by Matt Martin who was the initial recipient of a big hit by Trouba.

Josh Bailey returned from missing two games.  However, Cal Clutterbuck remains out.  Bailey was joined on the same line with Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Anthony Beauvillier.  Together they accounted for nine points.  Jordan Eberle finished with a goal and an assist, and Brock Nelson scored his team-leading 16th goal.  Even new acquisitions Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri joined for three shots on goal and an assist each.

The next three games will go a long way towards determining the East Division winner.  Long Island and Washington enter the series tied at 62 points each with an equal number of games remaining.  After the Capitals, the Isles finish out the season with two games each against the Rangers, Sabres, and Devils and a one-game season finale against the Bruins.  The Capitals finish up with two each against the Penguins, Rangers, and Flyers and close out the regular season with one game against Boston. 

Semyon Varlamov

• Games: 30
• Record: 17-9-3
• SV%: .923
• GAA: 2.20

Vitek Vanecek

• Games: 31
• Record: 17-9-3
• SV%: .908
• GAA: 2.77

The Islanders are sputtering of late with a 1-3-2 record in their last six games.  The Caps are 4-2-0 in their last six but are coming off a loss against Boston.  Washington leads the season series.  However, the Islanders have won the last two meetings.  When they last played on Apr. 6, Brock Nelson scored the only goal of the game.  Semyon Varlamov faced 29 shots and stopped them all for the shutout.

N.Y. Islanders: Lou Lamoriello Reinforces The Ranks

From the desks: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

LOU LAMORIELLO MAKES SNOW DAYS 

A DISTANT MEMORY

Travis Zajac and Kyle Palmieri Dealt to Long Islanders

With centerman and captain Anders Lee out for the season, Lou Lamoriello acquired winger Kyle Palmieri and center Travis Zajac from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for AHL prospects A.J. Greer, Mason Jobst, this year's first-round draft pick, and next year's fourth-round pick.

The Islanders add smart veteran depth and talent.  Palmieri scored no less than 24 goals in each of his first five seasons with the Devils and three times achieved at least 50 points.  This season to date, Kyle Palmieri has eight goals and 19 points through 34 games with Newark.  Meanwhile, Travis Zajac's time in New Jersey comes to an end after 15 full seasons and over 1,000 games in a Devils uniform.  To date, he has seven goals and 18 points through 33 games.  I expect each of them to fit seamlessly into Barry Trotz's system.  

Palmieri is 30-years old, and Zajac is 35-years old, and both will become unrestricted free agents at season's end.  In return, the Devils acquire another high draft pick.  It was the prudent thing to do as something is always better than nothing.

THURSDAY

Devils   6

Sabres   3

FINAL

Thank goodness for Buffalo.  Newark snaps a four-game skip with Thursday's commanding 6-3 victory out in Western New York.  The Devils scored three times in the first period, then three more times in the third period.  Pavel Zacha netted two power-play goals, Jack Hughes scored his eighth goal of the season, and Yegor Sharangovich scored his ninth.

THURSDAY

Flyers    2

Islanders 3

FINAL

SHOOTOUT

The Islanders put up two quick goals in the first period.  But Philadelphia ground out a two-all tie after two periods.  After a scoreless third period and overtime, the Islanders finally defeat the Flyers in a shootout.  Both Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac played their first game as New York Islanders, mustering just three total shots in goal.  The Islanders got goals from Brock Nelson and Jordan Eberle.

N.Y. Islanders: Semyon Varlamov Pitches Shutout Over Washington Capitals

From the desk: THE LONG ISLAND NOMADS

TUESDAY

Capitals  0

Islanders 1

FINAL

Battle For The Highground Rages On

With Tuesday's victory, the Isles win their third straight game and, with 54 points, reforge a first-place tie with the Capitals.  

After losing their first three meetings this season, the Islanders have now defeated Washington in consecutive games.  They will clash three more times before the season's end.

The teams engaged in a scoreless duel through the first two periods.  Another 13:05 would go by until Brock Nelson buried a loose puck in front on an initial shot by blueliner Ryan Pulock from the high circle and Josh Bailey's assist.  In fact, Islanders defensemen accounted for 14 shots on goal.  

Since we're talking defensemen, Nick Leddy leads the team with 24 assists.

With his 14th goal of the season, Brock Nelson takes over the team lead in goals over Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle.

Jordan Eberle put a couple of dents into the goalposts.  Otherwise, the Islanders peppered Washington goalie Vitek Vanecek with 39 shots, who stopped all but one.  Washington killed two penalties, and the Islanders likewise killed two penalties.  

Semyon Varlamov wins his second straight decision over the Capitals.  He faced 29 shots on goal and stopped them all for his fourth shutout of the season and his first since Feb. 8 against the Rangers.

Long Islanders Continue Bedeviling New Jersey Hockey Club

From the desks: LONG ISLAND NOMADS & THE BRICK CITY STYX

Islanders lead Devils; 5-1

I - NYI 4; NJD 1

II - NJD 2; NYI 0

III - NYI 2; NJD 1

IV - NYI 5; NJD 3

V - NYI 3; NJD 2

VI - NYI 3; NJD 2*

*shootout

SUNDAY RECAP

Islanders Gain The High Ground

The Long Islanders defeated Newark for the fifth time this season and thereby extended their consecutive winning streak to nine games.  They also increased their division lead by four points over the Capitals and finished the night with the most points in all of hockey.

Devils Get Lost In The Details

Meanwhile, the Devils continue suffering the agony of defeat after defeat.  Sunday's game marked their fourth straight loss.  It's the ninth loss in their last ten games and the twelfth loss in sixteen games since returning from quarantine.

🏒

Each team was minus their respective on-ice captains, Anders Lee for the Islanders, and Nico Hischier for the Devils.  So, there's that ...

After Kieffer Bellows opened the scoring on feeds from Sabastian Aho and Jordan Eberle just 4:18 into the first, the Devils catch a big break on Andy Greene's delay of game penalty.  Janne Kuokkanen makes the Islanders pay with a power-play goal at the 5:12 mark.  New Jersey then takes their own turn committing a big mistake - it won't be the last one - when Brock Nelson scores on feeds from Nick Leddy and Josh Bailey with just two seconds left in the first period, giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead.  New Jersey tied the game at 16:04 of the third when Yegor Sharangovich converted feeds from Dmitry Kulikov and P.K. Subban.

This brings us to big mistake number two.  Subban appeared to score the game-winning goal in overtime.  But the Islanders challenged an off-side violation and were proven correct.  The devilish perpetrator was positioned in place on the far board but on the wrong side of the line, a clearly avoidable mental mistake and costly one.

Sure enough, the Islanders go on to win in a shootout at Newark.  But it's just hockey.  There's nothing more to see here.  All is well.  You can go back to your home now.

N.Y. Islanders: Look Who's Number One

From the desk: LONG ISLAND NOMADS

Speed, Strength, and a Slick Stick

SATURDAY

Sabres    2

Islanders 5

FINAL

With the Isles victory over the dull-edged Sabres on Saturday combined with Washington's loss against the Bruins at Boston on Friday, Long Island takes over first place of the East Division by a full two points.

As we know, Buffalo, with an NHL low 17 points, has more problems than a math book.  This game should have been and indeed turned into easy pickings.  

Literally the center of much trade speculation, Jack Eichel assisted on Jacob Bryson's abrupt goal just 0:33 seconds into the game.  But the Islanders put a quick damper on any further Buffalo aspirations they may have harbored.  The Islanders kept them off the board throughout the rest of the period and all of the second period as well.

In the meantime, Long Island erupted with four goals in the second period.  Mathew Barzal kicked things off with one of the more ridiculously amazing goals you'll see this season.  Brock Nelson and Cal Clutterbuck then put the Islanders ahead by two.  At the 15:29 mark of the second, Scott Mayfield made it a three-goal lead.

Buffalo once again scored inside the opening minute of the third period, when Sam Reinhart found net just 0:52 seconds in.  But Anders Lee would quickly cancel that out at 2:15 with his team-leading eleventh goal of the season.  

The Isles are now winners of four in a row and six of their last seven.  They've allowed the second least goal within the division, just one more than the Boston Bruins, and lead the East Division with a plus-14 point differential.

Long Islanders Turn Away Visiting New Jersey Devils

From the desks:  NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT & THE BRICK CITY STYX

THURSDAY

Devils         1

Islanders   4

FINAL

Just a couple of observations:

Mackenzie Woodman did not play, and it showed.  The Islanders edged out the Devils (35-31) in shots on goal.  Backup Scott Wedgewood, making his first start of the season and playing in only the 25th game of his spotty career, made 31 saves.  Mathew Barzal opened the scoring at the 4:43 mark, and Jordan Eberle closed out the first period with a goal at the 19:39 mark.  That stings.  All the Devils could muster was an early second period goal from Nathan Bastian.  In the third period, Jordan Eberle scored his second of the game and Brock Nelson netted the Islanders fourth goal of the game, both on the power play, both early in the period.  Said another way, the Devils were undone by penalties and several ill timed goals.

The four-line Islanders had five forwards with at least four shots on goal, and five skaters all together.  Whereas the Devils had just one forward with at least four shots.  Rather they were led by their blue-liners, six shots from P.K. Subban and five by Damon Severson.  Nikita Gusev was next in with four shots from the wing.

Newark will host Long Island when these teams meet again on Sunday.

N.Y. Islanders: Deep-Sixed

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning defeat Islanders; 4-2

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

IV - TBL 4; NYI 3

V - NYI 2; TBL 1**

VI - TBL 2' NYI 1*

** double-overtime

* overtime

Why bother breaking down game six and rehashing things like Cal Clutterbuck hitting the post and things of that nature.  Why not focus instead on the fact Clutterbuck was the Islanders best center in game six.

Through six games shots on goal were a lopsided 213-165 in favor of the Bolts.  Some of that has to do with Barry Trotz' system, some has to do with Tampa, the rest has to do with any given five skaters on the ice.  On average the Bolts take eight more shots per game.  Thus the Islanders through six games get outscored by a 20-12 margin.  Omit game one and the Bolts still outscore the Isles by a 12-10 margin.

Blue liners Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman were definite thorns in the Islanders side.  Their respective pinching efforts impacted the series.  But the Lightning, simply put, win four games with center Brayden Point on the ice, and lose two when he's not on the ice.  Through seventeen games played, Point has nine goals and sixteen assists.  In 22 games Brock Nelson scores nine goals with nine assists and Mathew Barzal posts five goals and twelve assists over the same number of games.  Does the difference in this series between Tampa and Long Island lie in the Islanders having Jean-Gabriel Pageau at center instead of John Tavares?

Maybe, maybe not ...

Otherwise, neither team does themselves any favors on the power play.  Tampa goes 4/21, but if you subtract three PP goals from game one, the Bolts are just 1/15 with the man advantage.  Long Island fares no better, going 2/19 in six games.

Both Semyon Varlamov and Robin Lehner both bow out of the final four.  Through twenty games and nineteen starts, Varlamov wraps up business with a .921SV% and a 2.14 GAA.  Robin Lehner, who will likely sign an extension with Las Vegas, plays sixteen games while posting a .917SV% and 1.99 GAA.  The difference between the two seems negligible.  Did Lou Lamoriello make the right choice?  It's too close to call, besides, Andrei Vaslievskiy outperformed them both.  He has started every game for Tampa since entering the bubble.  Through nineteen games he owns a .931SV% and a 1.82 GAA. 

N.Y. Islanders Pushed to the Brink of Elimination

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 3-1

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

IV - TBL 4; NYI 1

Onus Now on Goalie Semyon Varlamov to Steal Game Five 

The Islanders spend the first half of game four playing their style of hockey.  They're finally rewarded when Brock Nelson finds net unassisted at 11:27 of the second period.  But after the ensuing face-off Long Island comes apart like wet toilet paper.  A mere fifteen seconds after Nelson's goal, Tampa's Blake Coleman ties the game.  Just twelve seconds later Ondrej Palat puts the Lightning ahead for good.  The Lightning add goals early and late in the third period en route to a 4-1 victory.

The Islanders go another 0 for 3 on the power play and are now just 1/14 for the series.  Tampa dominates face-offs 34-21 and out-shoot the Isles by a 36-27 margin.  In other words Long Island has no answer for the Lightning over the final half of the game.

Tampa has centers Brayden Point and Alex Killorn back on the ice but the Islanders are officially without center Casey Cizikas who did not play game three and has now exited the bubble.

The Islanders appear slow and neglectful on defense.  But if I'm picking one game out of four wherein the net minder needed to save the day, this was it.  Blake Coleman plays through a feeble poke-check attempt by Semyon Varlamov for Tampa's first goal.

Long Island has identified a roof top weakness in Andrei Vasilevskiy's game but aren't getting the requisite numbers of shots on net.  Last two games Tampa has unleashed 72 shots on goal (back-to-back games of 30+ shots on goal), while the Islanders muster 62 shots and are held under 30 shots for the third time this series.

• Andrei Vasilevskiy: 4 games; 114 SOG; 106 Saves; 8 Goals; .930SV%
• Semyon Varlamov: 4 games; 118 SOG; 105 Saves; 13 Goals; .914SV%

The Islanders are actually getting good opportunities.  But Vasilevskiy has other plans.  At the other end, it seems as if Varlamov is back in regular season form. 

• Varlamov: regular season .914 SV%; post-season .914SV%.
• Vasilevskiy: regular season .917 SV%; post-season .930SV%.

Advantage Tampa.

Revived New York Islanders Short Circuit Bolts in Game Three

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 2-1

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

III - NYI 5; TBL 3

THE LONG ISLAND CENTER FOR MOOD MANAGEMENT WELCOMES YOU

What's a Long Islander to do when the opposition shows up for work a few forwards short of a dozen?  You forecheck the crap out of whoever is left.  I do not say that facetiously.  The Lightning were forced to play five different forwards in excess of eighteen minutes each.  They might as well have had "Tenderize Me" stitched on the back of their jerseys.

Tampa is making a big mistake if they're trying to raise the physicality of this series instead of what worked for them in game one: dump and chase and speed to the puck.  Time and again in game one they made Islanders defensemen turn their backs and skates towards the boards.  Lately, not so much.

And there's the rub ...

Coming off the Flyers series, who said the Islanders would need a few games before they get their skates under them?  Who predicted the Isles would be down 2-1 after three games?  And who said they'd be better for it?

Thank you very much, although the latter remains to be seen.

Game two was very much an Islander type game.  But they blinked, twice, and Lightning struck.  It goes like that sometimes.  Make no mistake: the Islanders are feeling good again .. and feisty.  Game three's boxscore says Tampa out-hit the Islanders by a 66-42 margin.  You can believe that if you like.  After all, numbers don't lie.  But if you watched, you know that's not what happened.  Long Island makes up for a disparity in hits via several scrums.  Moreover, Matt Martin exacts a measure of revenge upon Barclay Goodrow on behalf of Brock Nelson and Jean-Gabriel Pageau gives Nikita Kucherov a much needed attitude adjustment.  On a more clandestine level, Long Island also keeps a closer eye on Ryan McDonagh.

If the Islanders let one get away in game two, they slammed the door shut on game three.  Not before Tampa nearly takes over this game, proving once again they can outscore mistakes and in this instance a shortage of available skaters.  The Lightning overcome a 3-1 deficit with two goals in the third period.  But the reinvigorated Islanders strike back.  Brock Nelson scores at 16:35 assisted by Anthony Beaulliviere and Josh Bailey.  At 19:24 Jean-Gabriel Pageau scores into an empty net.

The Islanders finally break through Andrei Vasilevskiy with four goals on 35 shots.  Semyon Varlamov faces 37 shots and makes 34 saves.  But he plays much better than the numbers indicate.

N.Y. Islanders: Zapped Again

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 2-0

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

II - TBL 2; NYI 1

When Lightning Strikes the Same Place Twice

This is the type of game the Islanders wanted to play, proving game one was an aberration.  They had everything going their way.  Tampa enters the game with eleven forwards and seven blue liners.  Midway through the second period the Bolts were playing with only nine forwards - no Steven Stamkos; no Brayden Point; no Alex Killorn.  Long Island yields just 21 shots on goal.  They keep Tampa scoreless in three power play opportunities.  The Isles win more face-offs and inflict more overall hits.  And they play with an early lead.  Matt Martin scores at the 1:24 mark of the opening period.  After which, the Isles spend upwards of twelve minutes in Tampa's end to start the game. 

At 5:55 of the first, Alex Killorn is called for a five minute major and a game misconduct for his vicious boarding of Brock Nelson.  The Isles get off five shots on goal but come up empty.

By the eight minute mark Tampa appears to be recovering from Long Island's opening surge.  But the Isles veto that and continue applying pressure.  Midway through Long Island owns an 11-3 advantage in shots on goal.  At 13:54 Ryan Pulock is whistled for tripping.  The Isles kill the penalty without allowing a single shot on goal.  It's part of a ten minute stretch in which the Islanders prevent the Bolts from taking a single shot.  Once out of the box, Pulock continues covering Brayden Point like a blanket, clearing the way for Mathew Barzal being the best centerman on the ice.

COMMITTING CARDINAL SIN of HOCKEY NUMBER ONE:

In the closing moments of the first period the Isles are called for a ponderous icing infraction.  The stripes clearly get this one wrong.  Back in their end the Isles lose the ensuing face-off.  Victor Hedman, there's that name again, scores with 1:34 showing on the clock.

COMMITTING CARDINAL SIN of HOCKEY NUMBER TWO:

The score remains unchanged for the next forty-four minutes and fourteen seconds.  Tampa does not achieve their tenth SOG of the game until the fourteen minute mark in the second.  But then, Long Island commits a defensive zone turnover.  At 19:51 of the third an uncontested Nikita Kucherov beats Semyon Varlamov; the Lightning lead 2-1; overtime averted. 

Assist by Ryan McDonagh ... a hard cross-ice pass from deep down along the left boards that goes untouched by three defenders.  Kucherov was positioned and waiting the whole time.

For two fleeting moments in time the Islanders slept on Tampa and it cost them dearly.  For a second straight game Ryan McDonagh proves Long Island's phantom menace.  Tampa is being aggressive on the pinch.  Tampa is known to interweaves a forward through the defensemen in order to facilitate just that; no big secret.  But the Islanders are letting McDonagh get lost in the crowd.  McDonagh is alone and free and more than happy to assist.

And so the Islanders had everything going for them except the final score.

They certainly had their chances, many chances in fact.  However, they go 0 for 4 on the power play; costly was their inability to score during a five minute major to Killorn.  But more than anyone, Tampa goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy deserves all three game stars.  Just hand em over.  He has started all fifteen games for Tampa since the NHL's return to action.  In game two he faces 28 shots and stops all but one.  Another way of looking at it: he yields a goal 1:24 into the opening period then shuts out the Islanders the rest of the way.

Tampa also seemed to have it in for Brock Nelson who suffers not one but two major boarding incidents, only the second period infraction goes uncalled.

Otherwise, never allow a goal in the first two minutes or last two minutes of any period!

I still say a 2-1 series deficit is manageable.  But the Islanders must now win game three or else be faced with having to sweep the final four.  Winning four of the next five .. not out of the question.

N.Y. Islanders Dominate Flyers in Game Seven

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Isles defeat Flyers; 4-3

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

II - PHI 4; NYI 3*

III - NYI 3; PHI 1

IV - NYI 3; PHI 2

V - PHI 4; NYI 3*

VI - PHI 5; NYI 4*

VII - NYI 4; PHI 0

*overtime

DESTINATION: EDMONTON

After losing two straight games in overtime the Islanders put forth their most dominant performance of the series to advance into the Eastern Conference finals against the awaiting Tampa Bay Lightning.  This will be Long Island's first visit back to the conference finals in twenty-seven years.

Game Seven is as one-sided as it gets.  Midway through the first period the Islanders get a pair of goals from blue liners Scott Mayfield and Andy Green.  Brock Nelson then makes it a 3-0 game midway through the second and Anthony Beauvillier puts the game away on an empty-netter with just over eight minutes left in regulation.

Thomas Greiss makes his second start and third appearance of the series.  In front of him the Islanders permit the Flyers a mere sixteen shots on goal.  Greiss stops them all including two penalty kills for the shutout.  It's the Islanders' second shutout of the series and third since eliminating the Capitals by an identical 4-0 score in game five of the previous round.

vs. Philadelphia

• Goals: NYI 24; PHI 16
• SOG: NYI 236; PHI 204
• Face-Off: NYI 209; PHI 205
• Hits: NYI 310; PHI 290

vs. FLA, WAS, PHI

• Goals: NYI 54; OPP 31
• SOG: NYI 494; OPP 431
• Face-Off: NYI 471; OPP 455
• Hits: NYI 632; OPP 599

New York Islanders Upended by the Furious Flyers in Game Five

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Isles lead Flyers; 3-2

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

II - PHI 4; NYI 3*

III - NYI 3; PHI 1

IV - NYI 3; PHI 2

V - PHI 4; NYI 3*

*overtime

Lost Opportunity Number One; Isles Have Two Chances Left to Clinch Series

Perhaps I spoke too soon?

A repeat of game two?  Somewhat .. the Isles in game two storm back with a trio of third period goals to send the game into overtime.  In game five they storm back with two goals in the third from Brock Nelson and Derick Brassard to send the game into overtime.

Similar, but different ...

In game two the Flyers take 31 shots on goal, while the Isles block 13 other attempts.  That theoretically is 44 attempts on net.  In game five the Flyers take 32 shots on goal, but the Isles are forced to block another 28 attempts.  Now we're theoretically speaking about 60 shot attempts in a game which only requires 2:41 minutes of overtime. 

Long Island is still outscoring the Flyers by a 16-11 margin.  They scored four times in game one and have tallied at least three goals in every game since.  Philadelphia's only breaks the three goal barrier during games two and five.  Said another way, the Flyers are having to labor into overtime in order to achieve victory.

Both teams have fifteen different skaters whom have scored during these playoffs.  Both teams also are generally staying out of the box.  Face-offs are likewise being cut down the middle (143-142) favoring the Isles.  What's needed is a difference maker.  Defense is what got the Islanders this far.  Thus, the question which begs asking is can the Islanders limit the Flyers to a just a pair of goals.  Three times in this series they have limited the Flyers to a pair of goals or less.  But in order to do that again they clearly need to tighten up.  Otherwise the real question we should be asking is if these teams are finally playing up to the their respective seedings, or in the Isles case, playing down to their final regular season standing.

We're gonna find out on Thursday, or maybe game seven.