N.Y. Islanders: Short Circuited by Bolts of Lightning

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

Lightning lead Isles; 1-0

I - TBL 8; NYI 2

GAME TWO

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

Canadian Hockey Bubble

I believe Monday's 8-2 final score is an aberration.

Either the Bolts were super charged up after sitting idle since August 31, or the Islanders were completely lagging coming off a seven game series involving three overtimes that didn't wrap up until Saturday, thus leaving them approximately forty hours to recover, fly from Toronto to Edmonton and prepare for the Lightning. 

Perhaps the truth lies somewhere in between.

I normally lean towards momentum.  Last thing I want is my team sitting around for a week between games.  So entering game one I thought the Islanders would have that on their side.  However, the break clearly worked to Tampa's advantage.  The disparity in speed and energy was palpable.

Allowing 34 shots on goal is slightly above the Isles standard, but it's nothing uncommon.  Allowing eight goals, now we have a problem.  Seven penalties, just twelve blocked shots and eighteen giveaways additionally hint of lethargy.

Think not?

The Islanders commit one of the cardinals sins of hockey: they allow a goal inside the first two minutes of period one.  Brayden Point comes barreling down the left wing, fakes and freezes Ryan Pulock in place, then stick handles a backhand around goalie Thomas Greiss unopposed.  It was only Tampa's second shot on goal.

Within minutes the Islanders get a power play and Jordan Eberle ties the game at one (it ends up being Long Island's only goal in five power play opportunities).  Less than two minutes elapse when Andy Green is whistled and sent to the box.  Tampa then demonstrates to the Islanders just how bad the Flyers power play was.  Coming within seconds of achieving a successful penalty kill, Victor Hedman converts giving the Lightning a 2-1 lead.  It's the first of six Tampa power plays and the first of three conversions.  That's uncharacteristic for the Islanders.  But it's only a prelude of things to come.  At 10:46 still in the first period, the Islanders fail to account for blue liner Ryan McDonagh who gives the Bolts a 3-1 lead.  At this point Thomas Greiss is pulled in favor of Semyon Varlamov.  This is when the Islanders all but confirm they're simply not up to the task.  Tampa goes on to score two times in the second period and three more times in the third. 

Even without an injured Steven Stamkos, Tampa can outscore their mistakes.  They can be thrown off their game yet still score goals.  In game one Brayden Point is the best centerman on the ice with two goals and three assists.  However, the Bolts also have been knocking at the door for years but have yet to bust it open.  There's something to be said for that and I point my finger at coach Jon Cooper.  The Islanders on the other hand are strict adherents of Barry Trotz' system.  When thrown off their game they do not have the individualists that step in to save the day.  They're more akin to a four line glacier, strong and methodical in their approach.  They're also great counter-punchers.  Problem is Tampa in game one floated like butterflies and stung like bees.  On that note, eight goals is all the motivation Long Island needs heading into game two.  The hope is they recover and restore their energy no later than game three.  A two/one series deficit is very manageable when you're playing in a bubble.

HEY COACH, WHO'S THE GOALIE?

Monday's play in front of net was clearly negligent.

But who will Barry Trotz task, who will he trust with starting game two and beyond?

During the regular season Varlamov appears in 45 games; Greiss appears in 35 games.

In his first year with the Islanders, 32-year old Semyon Varlamov owns a career 2.67 GAA and .915SV% over twelve seasons with Washington, Colorado and Long Island.  He has made 39 career playoff starts to date.  So far in these playoffs he is 9-4 with a .913SV% and a 2.22 GAA.  Two years his elder and in his fifth season with the Islanders, Thomas Greiss owns a career .914SV% and 2.63 GAA over ten seasons.  So far through four playoff appearances and three starts Greiss has posted a .929SV% and 2.02 GAA, but it's obviously a small sample size of work.

Varlamov has now yielded 14 goals in only his last 222 minutes between the pipes (i.e., games five and six against Philadelphia and Monday's relief effort against Tampa).  Meanwhile, Greiss has allowed just six total goals spread out over four appearances and 178 minutes on ice.  Thomas Greiss pitches a shutout in game seven over the Flyers albeit facing just sixteen shots, but he at least earns the start in game one against Tampa.  It doesn't go well.  He yields three goals in the game's first ten minutes.

This is Thomas Greiss's second season playing for Barry Trotz; Semyon Varlamov his first.  Varlamov has started all but two of thirteen games since entering the bubble.  Greiss has now made three starts with a relief appearance.  Greiss made just one relief appearance in last year's playoffs.  If you remember Barry Trotz stuck with Robin Lehner through all eight playoff games.

What does that say about Barry Trotz' trust in Greiss?

N.Y. Islanders: Eastern Conference Final Preview

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS   2020

TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

vs.

NEW YORK ISLANDERS

FROM

EDMONTON BUBBLE

The Islanders are in the Eastern Conference finals for the first time since 1993, twenty-seven years ago, when they fall to the Montreal Canadiens four games to one. 

The last time the Islanders and Tampa met in the playoffs was in 2015-2016 during the second round, taken by the Bolts four games to one.  After which the Islanders fail to qualify for the playoffs for two straight seasons.  Enter Barry Trotz who last season is hired as head coach and the Islanders return to the playoffs.  They sweep the Pittsburgh Penguins in round one, but suffer the same fate in round two against the Carolina Hurricanes.  Long Island now arrives in Edmonton after defeating the Florida Panthers, Washington Capitals and Philadelphia Flyers.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has been banging on the door since 2014-2015 when they lose the Stanley Cup finals against the Chicago Blackhawks.  The following season they bow in the conference finals against the Pittsburgh Penguins.  They fail to qualify for the playoffs in 2016-2017, then fall against the Washington Capitals in the 2017-2018 conference finals.  Last season they are bounced out of the playoffs in the first round by the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The Bolts arrive in Edmonton having defeated the Blue Jackets in round one and the Boston Bruins in round two. 

Tampa has been idle since last Monday after dispatching the Bruins in five and have played fewer games than the Islanders since entering the bubble.

The major question for Tampa is whether or not Steve Stamkos plays.  He is skating but has yet to return to action since sustaining a leg injury in July.  For the Islanders, Johnny Boychuck remains out after taking a hard hit to the head in game one against the Florida Panthers.

REGULAR SEASON MATCH-UP:

• Nov. 1 - NYI 5; TB 2
• Dec. 9 - NYI 5; TB 1
• Feb. 8 - TB 3; NYI 1

Semyon Varlamov or Thomas Greiss: that is the question.  Barry Trotz will decide which is noblest.  Coming off Saturday's whitewashing of the Flyers, I suspect Greiss makes the start in game one against Tampa.  Greiss faces just sixteen shots in Saturday's clincher against the Flyers, but nevertheless stops them all.  Varlamov is 9-4 with a .921 SV% and Greiss is 2-1 with a .960 SV% albeit with a smaller sample size.  Through thirteen games Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy is 10-3 with a .931 SV% and 1.91 GAA.

In almost every respect, be it even strength or on the power play, these teams are near even.  Both feature depth of lines and scoring ability throughout.  Through thirteen games the Bolts are averaging 3.0 goals per game, while the Isles are averaging 3.3 goals per game.  On defense, the Bolts are allowing an average of 2.3 goals per game while the Islanders are allowing a stingy 1.9 goals per game.

So far, advantage Islanders.

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

N.Y. Islanders: Someone's Bubble is About to Pop

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019   PLAYOFFS   2020

Series Tied; 3-3

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*

*overtime

Once is an Event; Twice is a Coincidence; Three Times is a Trend

Two Clinching Opportunities Wasted; One Chance Left

Can the Islanders hold the Flyers to a pair of goals or less?  The answer is yes, they've done it three times.  Can the Flyers score three or more regulation time goals?  The answer is yes, they've done it three times.  It's no coincidence all three Philadelphia victories come in overtime.  The Flyers in those games outscore the Islanders by a 13-10 margin - makes sense, one goal per overtime.  Otherwise the Islanders own a 10-3 scoring advantage through games one, three and four.  But the fact both teams are heading into game seven means they're dead even.  Stats be damned.

Somehow special teams have been rendered inconsequential.  You might even say the Isles are lucky to have four PP goals in 17 chances.  Meanwhile, the Flyers are scoreless in eleven PP opportunities.
Said another way, all Philadelphia's scoring is occurring at even strength and that's the last thing Islanders fans want to hear.

Heck, you might even say the Isles were fortunate to have Mathew Barzal on the ice.  He leads the team in game six with nine shots, and (at the time) scores the go ahead goal with thirty seconds left in the second period.

Now trend this ...

The Islanders get in big trouble when they let Philadelphia score consecutive goals.

• They allow three unanswered goal in the first period of game two before losing 4-3 in overtime.  
• Late in the second period of game five they allow back to back goals within three minutes of each other, then in the opening minutes of the third yield a third straight goal before losing in overtime.  
• In the first period of game six Philadelphia scores back to back first period goals within two minutes of each other en route to winning in overtime.

With regards to possession, the Flyers are winning the face-off battle four games against two, but what good is that if you give the puck away thirty times as they did in game six.  Otherwise, Long Island is not lacking for opportunities.  They actually flipped the switch on the Flyers from game five to six.  The Isles took 53 shots on goal versus 31 for the Flyers.  However, Philly blocked another 31 shots, making for 84 total Islanders attempts on net; they in turn blocked 29 shots giving Philly 60 total attempts on net.

So, are the Islanders suffering a crisis in net or is the play in front breaking down?

In his defense, Semyon Varlamov needed Superman x-ray vision in order to see Thursday's final shot on goal.  The crease was packed with bodies like pre-COVID Times Square.  Lest we forget Varlamov was pulled in game two which the Islanders lose in overtime, but he bounces back allowing the Flyers just one goal in game three and two goals in game four.  Varlamov was fending off 93% of all shots on goal through game four.  However, the Flyers have now scored nine goals over the last seven-plus periods.

I don't know who Barry Trotz starts in net: Varlamov or Thomas Greiss.  I do know the Islanders have been playing a lot of comeback hockey lately only to come up short in the end.  Whoever starts in net, the Islanders need to prevent the Flyers from scoring in bursts.

It doesn't seem to matter who the Flyers start.  Carter Hart has started five games and Brian Elliott one.  Each has yielded no less than three goals.

Cue the broken record; the song remains the same.  Scoring and playing physical hockey are not the Islanders problem.  Defense and net minding will once more determine the measure of Islanders success.

They aren't going to outscore the Flyers and still lose the series, are they?

N.Y. Islanders: Flyers Best Effort Still Not Good Enough

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE

2019    PLAYOFFS    2020

Isles lead Flyers; 3-1

I - NYI 4; PHI 0

II - PHI 4; NYI 3*

III - NYI 3; PHI 1

IV - NYI 3; PHI 2

*overtime

Look What the Isles did to the Flyers ... Again! 

What you saw in game four was Philadelphia's best effort.  I promise you.  Alain Vigneault is a good regular season coach but when it comes to the playoffs his system short circuits.

Where's his Cup-O-Fame?  That's me the Rangers fan speaking ... otherwise you Isles fans know I'm an objective observer.

Philadelphia out-shoots (38-33) the Islanders and they out-hit (39-35) the Islanders and it still gets them nowhere.  In fact, game four had all the makings of a bad night: Thomas Greiss making his first start of the postseason and the Isles allowing the most shots on goal since entering the bubble.  But all Long Island nomads know scoring and playing physical hockey have never been problems for the Islanders.

Thomas Greiss indeed makes his first start of these playoffs.  Although Greiss appears in relief of Semyon Varlamov during game two - which the Islanders lose 4-3 in overtime - this marks Thomas' first start since way back on March 7th against Carolina.  Playing in front of Greiss, the Islanders yield a playoff high 38 shots on goal.  A fresh Thomas Greiss steels the show stopping all but two.  A great spot start by him.

But when people say "Flyers turnovers" I say Islanders defense.

After a scoreless first period, Brock Nelson and Philly's Sean Couturier trade second period even-strength goals.  Long Island then takes the wind from beneath the Flyers wings with two goals in the third just four minutes apart by Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Brock Nelson's second of the game.  Yeah, the Islanders allowed a goal in the last two minutes, but in this instance it's okay.

The Islanders now own a commanding 3-1 series lead over Alain Vigneault's floundering Philadelphia Flyers.

N.Y. Islanders: John Tavares Receives Long Island Jeers in Return to Uniondale

From the desk of: NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

"We Don't Need You!"

WEDNESDAY

Maple Leafs   4

Islanders        5

FINAL

Throughout summer I thought it somewhat ponderous the Islanders remained staunchly inactive insofar as making noteworthy upgrades, or said another way spending some cash.  On the other hand, there's the methodical nature of Lou Lamoriello to consider.  But still ... quiet is as quiet does.  Rather the Isles part ways with last season's starting goalie (Robin Lehner whom posts a career best 25 wins and 2.13 GAA) and import veteran Semyon Varlamov to share time with mainstay Thomas Greiss.  Both have each made nine starts.  Varlamov to date is 6-2-1 with a .917 SV% and a 2.56 GAA.  Meanwhile Greiss is doing outstanding, going 7-1-0 with a .942 SV% and 1.88 GAA.  But that speaks only to the pucks that actually get through.  On Wednesday the Islanders blocked 22 shots versus just eight by Toronto.  And thus you have the reasons why the Islanders have yielded the NHL's least number of goals.

Offensively they're middle of the pack with 54 goals but are nevertheless third in point differential (+15).  On Wednesday however they break out for three even strength goals, and two on the power play against a teetering Toronto club.

John Tavares makes his much anticipated return on Long Island as a member of the Maple Leafs.  Fans greet him with chants of "We Don't Need You!"  Then the Islanders go about proving it.  At 14:23 of the first period Mathew Barzal opens the scoring with his eighth goal of the season.  Anthony Beauvillier's power play goal in the final minute of the period gives the Isles a 2-0 lead.  Toronto ties the game at two midway through the second period.  But the Islanders regain the lead on Beauvillier's second goal at the 16:43 mark.  Casey Cizikas' late third period goal effectively puts the game out of reach.  Other than assisting on Kasperi Kapanen's second period goal, John Tavares proves a non factor.  That is until he scores a inconsequential goal with just 0:38 seconds left in the game.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

• #2 - N.Y. Islanders    13-3-1 (27 points)
• #12 - N.Y. Rangers     8-7-2 (18 points)
• #16 - N.J. Devils        5-8-4 (14 points)

After losing three of their first four games to begin the season, the Islanders have since gone 12-0-1 to claim second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

N.Y. Islanders: Thomas Greiss Leads Washington Filibuster

From the desk of:  NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT

First Place - Metropolitan Division

Tied Second - Eastern Conference

FRIDAY

Islanders   2

Capitals     0

FINAL

New York Islanders: Look Who's Number One..!

A January Metropolitan Division battle for first place, Barry Trotz leads his new team on the road against his old team, and sees the Islanders through to a 2-0 whitewashing of the Capitals.  The victory gives them a point more than both the reigning champions and Columbus Blue Jackets, along with sole possession of first place.  With a 26-15-4 record, they now have 60-points to be exact, tied for second most in the conference with the Toronto Maple Leafs, no less.

Are the Maple Leafs better with John Tavares, or are the Islanders better without him?  On this day, the Isles have it.

Considering their defensive and net minding struggles over the last few years, the Islanders this season have allowed the fewest goals in the NHL.  Barry Trotz has a lot to do with that, but so does the goalie tandem of Robin Lehner and Thomas Greiss.  Lehner, the 28-year old former Senator/Saber is so far having a career season with the Isles.  After 25 appearances, he is 14-7-3, with an NHL best 2.11 GAA.  His .928 save percentage ranks second in the league.  Meanwhile, Thomas Greiss is 14-8-1 after 26 appearances, with a 2.50 GAA.  His .920 save percentage ranks top ten.  He faced just 19 shots during Friday's 2-0 shutout of the Capitals

• Combined Stats:  28-15-4 record; .924 save percentage; 2.30 GAA; 4 shutouts.

The Islanders are now winners of four in a row, and 12-2-0 over their last 14 games, which includes last Sunday's 5-1 drubbing of the Eastern Conference leading Tampa Bay Lighting.

*

The Washington Capitals honored Barry Trotz with a touching video tribute, the crowd likewise showered him with applause, respect, and appreciation for the coach whom just one short season ago guided Washington to their one and only Stanley Cup victory.

N.Y. Islanders: Garth Snow's Seat Getting Hotter

From the desks of: 

FIVE FOR FLATBUSH  and  RAISE GRESCH WITH THE GREATS

THE RIVALRY - III

Islanders lead series 3-0

I - NYI 4; NYR 3*

II - NYI 7; NYR 2

III - NYI 3; NYR 0

*shootout

I read in Friday's Newsday how the Islanders are now 10-1-0 in their last eleven games against the Rangers, and that Jaroslav Halak is 13-1-0 in his last 14 head-to-head match-ups against Henrik Lundqvist.

There you go ...

Look what the Islanders did to the Rangers ... again!

Josh Bailey scored on a power play less than five minutes into the opening period of Thursday's game at Barclays.  Jordan Eberle and Thomas Hickey added goals in the second and third periods respectively.

Halak, meanwhile, turned away all fifty Rangers shots on goal to best Henrik Lindqvist, whom faced 35 shots but only made 32 saves.

The Islanders have now outscored the Rangers this season by a 13-5 margin through nine periods of regulation hockey.

Flatbush blew into Carolina like a hurricane the very next night.  The Islanders equaled Thursday's output with another three goals against Cam Ward and the Canes.  But the eye of this storm was goalie Thomas Greiss.  He followed Halak's golden effort with a 44-save effort of his own.

Playing in his fifth game back after missing all of January, the sorely missed Johnny Boychuk opened the scoring in the second period with his fourth goal of the season.  Second year winger Anthony Beauvillier scored his fourteenth goal of the season midway through the third (he scored nine goals in 66 games last season as a rookie).

John Tavares capped off the scoring with an empty-netter in the closing minute of regulation.  It was his 30th of the season, marking the fourth time in his nine year career in which he's achieved thirty or more goals.  The number one overall selection of the 2009 entry draft, Tavares notched the 600th point of his career on Feb. 13 against the Blue Jackets.

JOHN TAVARES

600 POINTS

That makes four huge points when they needed them most.  The Isles leveled their record in February to 4-3-1, but more importantly temporarily elevated themselves back into the playoff picture.  As of Saturday night, the Islanders are eighth in the conference standings, one point ahead of Columbus and Carolina, and four points behind the New Jersey Devils.  The Islanders and Devils face off next Saturday at Newark.

MATHEW BARZAL

60 games; 16 goals; 46 assists; 62 points

Joins Mike Bossy and Brian Trottier 

as only NYI rookies to achieve 60 points

Snow Must Go ... is now an official movement.

In his twelfth season as general manager, Garth Snow's seat is getting hotter by the day.

Fans are pretty fed up with the team's defense; their two-headed goalie situation is what it is; and even head coach Doug Weight has his detractors.  But fans want Snow active as the trade deadline draws near and being sellers is strictly out of the question. 

They're already riddled with anxiety over the seeming lack of progress in the John Tavares contract negotiations.  Snow arguably has the Islanders well positioned for the near future.  He has a couple of extra picks in the first two rounds of the June draft.  I would stay the course, though, and ensure Tavares gets signed. 

Otherwise, Garth Snow is in a real bind.  If he fails to upgrade the team by the deadline, fans may light his chair on fire (not that I'm trying to give them ideas).

I'm a Rangers fan ... what would I know.

The "rebuilding" Rangers, continue skating in the opposite direction.  They have now lost seven of their last nine games - outright (no overtime; no shootout).  After recent losses against the Wild and Islanders, they got scrubbed again on Saturday by the Ottawa Senators.

Good!

ICYMI: Read This!

Ryan McDonagh was a scratch for the fifth straight game.  I'm not buying this crap he's suffering an upper body injury.  But I also think it's pure coincidence that he hasn't played since Feb. 7 after infamously lashing out at team mates fresh after sustaining a 6-1 drubbing against the Bruins.  I simply believe a trade for McDonagh is being negotiated and the Rangers are not risking injury.

In the meantime, the Rangers continue getting poor two-way play; they don't hit; they don't pick up the hangers; and Alain Vigneault continues letting teams take point blank shots at Henrik Lundqvist.

I was beginning to rant ... sorry.

There's just something about losing 6-3 against the fourth worst team in hockey.

Watching Derick Brassard playing for Ottawa also reminds me of this team's piss-poor cap management.  I'm just saying ... Brassard was a salary cap hit same as Keith Yandle; Carl Hagelin; Brandon Prust; even Colton Orr!  The list goes on - all in the name to shave a buck.

I'm still shaking my head over Yandle.

The Rangers are firmly anchored to last place of the Metropolitan Division, and have fallen to eleventh in the conference standings.

Devils vs. Islanders: Flatbush Avenue Face-Off

From the desks of:  

NO SLEEP TILL BELMONT  and  THE BRICK CITY STYX

METROPOLITAN DIVISION RIVALRY

TUESDAY

DEVILS

vs.

ISLANDERS

FROM

Barclays Center

FLATBUSH

New Jersey Devils: Cheating Themselves Out of Valuable Points Now Threatening Their Place In The Standings.

The New Jersey Devils are demonstrating the value of fast starts.  With a 22-12-8 record to date, they enter Tuesday's game against the Islanders in third place of the Metropolitan Division, and in sixth place of the conference standings.

But how much longer can Newark keep this up?  Remember how they jumped out to an 8-2 record in October?  They have played sub par hockey since then, going 14-10-8 over their last 32 games.

Just when they appeared to be turning things around with five straight wins in late December, they start the New Year losers of six straight.

Now they draw the Islanders, whom with a victory, can tie New Jersey in the standings with 52-points.

The Devils finished at the bottom of last year's Eastern Conference standings with a 28-40-14 record (70-points).  Their 14 OT/SO losses were second most in all the NHL.  Their eight OT/SO losses so far this season are once again tied for most among current playoff contenders, and tied for second most in the league.

... all the hallmarks of a young, rebuilding team.

The inexperienced Devils are nevertheless doing well - far better than fans could have ever expected.  Perhaps sooner than later they'll learn how to finish games instead of giving away points.

They can start by not exposing Cory Schneider to so many shots of goal.  The opposition is averaging 32 shots on goal against Schneider this season.  But that doesn't explain Saturday's performance against the Flyers - does it? -  when he allowed five goals on just 25 shots.

In Cory's defense, his .911 SV% over his last 93 games is somewhat reflective of the New Jersey's rebuilding.  Otherwise, he previously averaged a .923 SV% during his first three years with the Devils.


New York Islanders: Look Who's Number Eight! Thomas Greiss Rewards Coach Weight; John Tavares Takes Care Of The Rest.

Speaking of goalies, the Islanders two-headed monster must surely be killing Doug Weight.  While it would be prudent for him to chose one, and just give it a go, what's a head coach to do with two troublesome goalies?

It took consecutive wins in his two most recent starts against the Devils and Rangers just for Jaroslav Halak improving his record to 13-12-2 through 28 games.  At present, his 3.19 GAA is way above his career 2.46 goals against average, while his .906 SV% is down from his usual .916 save percentage.

Instead of allowing Halak a fourth straight start, Doug Weight elected to play Thomas Greiss against the Canadiens on Monday.

It was Greiss' 21st appearance of the season.  Entering Monday's game, he owned an unsightly 3.89 GAA, and an equally unsettling .882 save percentage.

But were it not for Thomas Greiss, the Islanders do not defeat the Habs on Monday; they do not win their third game in a row; and most importantly, they do not leapfrog over the Rangers into eighth place of the Eastern Conference standings.

Greiss made Doug Weight sweat, though.  He faced an absurd 56 shots, allowing four goals.  The Islanders blew leads of 2-0 and 4-2 before Max Pacioretti's game tying goal at 13:01 of the third period.  It was Greiss, though, who kept the Islanders alive allowing John Tavares to end the game in overtime with his 24th goal of the season.

Then again, scoring isn't this team's problem.  Defense is.

The Islanders are second in the league in scoring, averaging 3.6 goals a game.  Their power play is slightly above average, ranking 12th in the league.  Ponderously, the Isles rank 31st in goals against, and 30th on the penalty kill.

N.Y. Islanders: No Rest for the Weary; Complicated Off-Season Ahead

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Hockey Thing One

VS.

Hockey Thing Two

Where do we go from here?  

And by we, I do mean Brooklyn and Long Islanders.

I - Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club

Hello Islanders fans.  Sorry it didn't work out.

If you are a regular rider of this blog I call The Trolley, then you know I've been a Rangers fan since the mid to late 1970s.  In turn, that once made you my enemy.  But I'm much older now, and no longer harbor such anger within me.

Above all, mine is a Brooklyn-centric blog, and so I think I've handled the Islanders very fairly.  I just call it as I see it without dumping a cooler of Rangers Hate-o-Rade all over them.  In fact, I feel I've been quite supportive, and even suggested the Smurfs Rangers could have learned a thing or two from the Isles.

I hope you'll agree.

I still say this team belongs in Long Island - not Brooklyn.  Understandably, they did not necessarily move to Flatbush Avenue by choice.  So when the residents of Nassau County voted down the final arena proposal, I temporarily named the Islanders portion of this Trolley - Brooklyn's Foster Hockey Club.

Once they settled into Barclays Center, I changed over to - Five For Flatbush - because I thought it would acknowledge the team's toughness, pay tribute to their previous history and the pursuit of a fifth Stanley Cup, and incorporate their arrival on Flatbush Avenue, all in one title.

The old Brooklyn Americans only practiced in Brooklyn.  They never played NHL games here.   Therefore, the first NHL regular season and first Stanley Cup playoffs in Brooklyn history are now officially a matter of record.

The Islanders last won a playoff series back in 1993, or 23 years ago - pick your poison.  But with their first round victory over the Florida Panthers, Brooklyn is now vested in this too..


II - Charles Wang isn't leaving the building, but he'll be occupying a much smaller office.

Upon assuming ownership of the Islanders, Charles Wang's first challenge was restoring a demoralized fan base's faith in the aftermath of the Mike Milbury, Stephen Walsh, and the utterly ponderous Jon Spano era.

Wang seemingly tried as best he could keeping them in Long Island, but ultimately lost tens of millions of dollars floating them until faced with no other alternative but to move the team out of Uniondale.  A sadly outdated coliseum, the doomed Lighthouse project, Nassau County bureaucrats, and a justifiably overburdened and fed up tax base, all seemingly conspired against him.

Right?

By his own doing, Charles Wang will now take a back seat as a minority owner, while new majority owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin take over the helm.

The $99,000 dollar question is what will their personal ideas be for the Islanders?  Will they decide playing in Barclays Center is an untenable situation, and therefore pursue relocating out of the metropolitan area all together?  Or will they continue tolerating their present condition, and just stay?

Then there's the matter of branding.  Is there such a thing as dual identity?  How long will new ownership continue with this split personality?

After four consecutive Stanley Cup championships, the Islanders traditional jersey is still iconic.   Should they opt to stick with it full time, unchanged, they'd be completely within their right.   Flatbush, after all, is still terra firma of Long Island Proper.  There's no real need to change the name, or re-brand for that matter.

But they did just that ... kinda.

The question, then, is will they take an additional step forward, above and beyond the black/white BKLN alternate uniform, and embrace a larger allegiance to Brooklyn, and market themselves as such?

I noticed no attempt by the Islanders to wear their Brooklyn alternative uniform during the playoffs.

That's fine - correct even.  I'm just saying...


III - Garth Snow

Will Garth Snow move forward with the organization, or will new ownership opt to go in a new direction?

Whoever the general manager is, he or she will have major financial decisions to make with regards to Kyle Okposo and Matt Martin.  Among the Islanders soon-to-be free agents, I consider them indispensable.

Afterward, who knows if new ownership is interested in resetting the team's spending limits.  That remains to be seen.  What the Islanders do have is prospects, which they should consider moving a few for more established players.

The Islanders posted back-to-back 100-point seasons.  There's still time to keep this together and win. But they're two quality players short.  Re-Sign Okposo and find both him and John Tavares a quality line compliment.  Then either bolster the 2nd/3rd line, or add a bruising, reliable stay-home defenseman.


IV - So What Happened?

Hard to say....

By Game Five, the damage had been done.  Through Game Four, the Isles had been outscored by an 11-14 margin.  Here's the best way I can explain the 3 goal differential:

• Jon Cooper pulled the goalie late in Game Three, and Tampa tied with just 0:38 left in regulation, then won in overtime.

• In Game Four, Tampa tied the game in the 3rd, and send a second consecutive game into overtime.

• The rest, as they say is history.

Now for the painfully obvious - despite playing without Steven Stamkos and Anton Stralman, the Lightning still won the series by a decisive 4-1 margin.

In hindsight, I'm still not sure where debating Thomas Greiss versus Jaroslav Halak may lead.   Thomas Greiss was screened on far too many shots by Lightning skaters, and that's exactly why I'm not up to having the Jaroslav Halak debate.  Refer instead back to Garth Snow, and on-ice lapses
in effective traffic control.

What I do know is the Islanders continually gave up back breaking goals within the final two minutes of a period.  Two overtime losses in Brooklyn?  Don't know what to say about those either, other than the Isles actually did a lot of things right.  But once you get into overtime ... pffff!  The original misstep occurs in regulation.

Here's another item I refuse to tackle - as John Tavares goes, so go the Isles.  This is no time for finger pointing.  We know who the contributors were, and who the under performers were.  My only answer to that, again, is ... see Garth Snow.

One thing is certain, and they proved it again, the Islanders had the best 4th forward line in all of hockey.  They should look into keeping them together.  They're a tremendous asset most NHL teams can not handle.

N.Y. Islanders: Brian Boyle Foils the Brutes of Flatbush

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

So much for stealing away home ice advantage from Bolts..

Lightning lead series 2-1

I - NYI 5; TBL 3

II - TBL 4; NYI 1

III - TBL 5; NYI 4*

*overtime

New York Islanders did everything they wanted in Game Three ... except win.

It also makes complete sense Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle would thrive in such a physically played game.

The Islanders turned Game Three into a grudge match - just as planned.  That's when they're at their best, and I believe their physicality will indeed wear on Tampa as the series continues.  And that's why the Islanders should continue playing in this manner despite suffering a brutal overtime loss Tuesday night at Barclays Center.

Even I have to admit my guilt, though, in so far as overlooking Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle.   Shame on me as a Rangers fan, I should have known better.  The two obviously benefit from their familiarity with New York City, and particularly playing in front of Islanders home crowds.   Moreover, they were easily Tampa's two most resilient players on the ice.  After all, they were indoctrinated under John Tortorella, and so found the Islanders' style quite to their liking, and it showed.

There's an argument to be made the Islanders partly blew Game Three in the 1st period, which was actually their best session of the game.  I say that because John Tavares registered so little ice time, with Coach Cooper temporarily getting the better of Jack Capuano in so far as line changes and match-ups.

But with Jack Capuano left decoding his counterpart, the Islanders fourth line carried the action.

Misstep Number One

• With everything seemingly going the Islanders way, they literally tripped themselves up late in the 1st period by committed one of the cardinal sins of hockey - allowing a goal within the last two minutes of a period.  

At 18:27, Casey Cizikas was dispatched to the sin bin for carelessly tripping Brian Boyle.  In turn, the Bolts wasted no time converting what amounted to a costly lack of situational awareness.  With just 0:13 left in the period, Ryan Callahan established position in front of Thomas Greiss, and deflected Alex Killorn's wide shot back on net and beyond Thomas Greiss, tying the score at one.

The Bolts and Isles fought to a 2nd period draw on the judge's scorecards, after swapping goals from Victor Hedman and Nick Leddy.

Misstep Number Two

• After Josh Bailey converted a power play opportunity just 2:27 into the 3rd period, the Bolts returned fire a mere minute later, tying the score again at three.

That was a punch to the gut, but New York's fourth line continued carrying the night with Cal Clutterbuck finding net, and putting the Islanders ahead 4-3 at the 11:23 mark.

Misstep Number Three

• With 2:00 left in regulation, Jon Cooper pulled Ben Bishop in order to give the Bolts a man advantage, and it worked.  With just 0:38 left in regulation, Nikita Kucherov got lost in the slot, and zapped one beyond Thomas Greiss to tie the game at four.

Brian Boyle reared his head again in overtime, but this time in a most controversial way.  He separated Thomas Hickey from the puck high in the Isles defensive zone but with a questionable hit to the head area that went unpenalized by the men in stripes.  The play remained on side for Tampa, and while Boyle rejoined the rush, Hickey remained laid-out on the ice.

• Was Boyle's hit retaliation for the even bigger hit Thomas Hickey laid on Jonathan Drouin?  I don't think it was, but I won't get in anyone's way if they think so.  I'm also not so sure Brian Boyle deserved a penalty either.

With just 0:38 second left in regulation, Ryan Callahan was credited with an assist, but in truth the puck caromed off the backboard and found Brian Boyle positioned on the weak side, who snapped it beyond Thomas Greiss for the game winning goal.

Brian Boyle also got into a pre-game scrum during warm-ups, then had a 1st period goal waved off for a high stick.  In other words, Brian Boyle had his fingerprints all over this game, with Ryan Callahan right there with him, and both standing tall after a very physical game.

Just the way they like it...

Power Outages

I still say both teams are flirting with disaster.  Each committed four more penalties in Game Three.   Despite trading power play goals Tuesday, both PP units continue to flounder.  Tampa is 2 of 11 with the man advantage (which does not include Coach Cooper pulling Bishop in the 3rd period of Game Three).  The Islanders are 2 for 13 on the PP.  All hail their respective PK, but eventually, something is gonna give.

Behind the Mask

There's been talk of Jaroslav Halak's improvement, and potential return.  An obvious question, then, begs to be asked. Should Halak be reinstated, if and when available, or is this playoff run now firmly in the pads of Thomas Greiss?

Game Four @ Flatbush

We already have all the context we need - Screaming for Vengence with be the anthem of the night.

The Islanders must win Game Four at home before heading back to the Sunshine State. It's not critical they do, just terribly necessary.

They started Game Three perfectly, with big hits, and a 1-0 lead, just like the doctor ordered.  For the game, the Islanders out-hit Tampa by a 44-34 margin.  In turn, the Islanders incurred 14 takeaways.   They also muscled their way to a 38-27 victory in the face-off battle.  The Islanders additionally raised their number of shots on goal.  Now they must do more.

• Josh Bailey is such a difference maker when he's healthy.
• I'm having trouble recalling a better fourth line in hockey.

N.Y. Islanders: Series Shifts to Ben Bishop's Borough of Horror

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Welcome back to Brooklyn, 

a great place to visit, unless you're Ben Bishop that is..

Series tied 1-1

I - NYI 5; TBL 3

II - TBL 4; NYI 1

III - @BROOKLYN

New York Islanders: The series is now a best of five, with Flatbush potentially owning the home ice edge.

If you recall, I said pay no mind to Game One.  I will side with a team coming off a 3-day layoff over a team coming off a 6-day layoff every time.

That's exactly what happened.  Tampa spent two and a half periods shaking off rust before getting their game skates under them.  By then, it was too late, particularly against an Islanders team still high from an overtime series clinching victory over the Florida Panthers.

Inactivity and rust aside, it's worth noting the Islanders spent the better part of said two and a half periods pounding the Bolts into submission.  But that said, the series started in earnest with Game Two, when unfortunately, the Islanders looked listless after quickly falling behind in the 1st period, en route to a 4-1 loss.

For the moment, though, the Islanders potentially stealing home ice advantage with their Game One win in Tampa should not go understated.  Heading into Game Three, the trick now is to seize upon their gained advantage with nothing short of victory in Brooklyn.

Easier said than done... I know.

GAME THREE

Tampa Bay Lightning

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

BARCLAYS CENTER

Flatbush Avenue

Special Teams: Waiting for the dam to burst.

Hey, if both teams insist on committing so many damn penalties, then the team which scores most with the man advantage wins the series.  To date, the Bolts are a mere 1 for 7, while the Islanders are just a fraction better with a 2 for 9 rate.  I say both are flirting with disaster.  Something is eventually gonna give like a weakening dam.

Beyond the Mask: Coach's Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Beyond the bench is more like it...

The Tampa Bay Lightning sent a jolt through the Islanders system in Game Two.  With the Triplets Line back in place, the Bolts were quicker, and possessed the puck for an inordinate amount of time by staying in open ice, and not allowing themselves to get pinned along the boards.

The Islanders trailed 2-0 by 11:55 of the 1st period, and the Lightning never looked back en route to a 4-1 series tying victory.  Tampa out-shot the Islanders 31-20, limiting the Islanders to five shots on goal in the 2nd period, then just three shots on goal in the 3rd.

Thomas Greiss was the hard luck loser, allowing six goals against 41 shots on net.

Back on March 24 in Tampa, the Islanders suffered through a 7-4 drubbing against the Bolts.  That game was tied at four until 10:09 of the 3rd period, when things fell apart for the Isles like wet toilet paper.  Coach Jack Capuano stuck with Thomas Greiss, and did not pull his goalie after allowing the go-ahead goal, then another within 23-seconds of each other.

On Tuesday, the Islanders goalie knows he's entering a critical Game Three with the full confidence of his coach, and more importantly, that of his team mates.

Then there's Ben Bishop, coach Jon Cooper, and the Lightning...

Bishop is no stranger to New York City's fan fervor during playoff time, having successfully experienced their passion last season at Madison Square Garden during the Eastern Conference finals against the Rangers.

But, as is the case with most out-of-towners, it wasn't until April 4th this year, that Bishop rudely discovered Brooklyn and Manhattan are actually worlds apart.  During his lone regular season visit to Barclays Center, Bishop allowed all five Islanders goals on only 23 shots on net, and was consequently relieved of his duties just 4:28 into the 3rd period by coach Jon Cooper.

Ben Bishop now gets a chance to erase his own chalk outline left at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and Flatbush.

Or does he?

Coach Jon Cooper again pulled Ben Bishop midway through the 2nd period of Game One after allowing four goals on just 13 shots on net - and that happened in Tampa.  Back-up goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy wound up finishing the game.  He faced eight shots and did not allow a goal.

One thing has become very clear - Jack Capuano has far more confidence in goalie Thomas Greiss, than Jon Cooper has in Tampa goalie Ben Bishop.  That inevitably translates onto the ice.

I have no doubt Jon Cooper will start Ben Bishop in Game Three.  But if Tampa's goalie didn't already learn back in April, he's surely going to understand the meaning of playing in city traffic now.

The Islanders also want the crowd factoring in games Three and Four if at all possible, and big early hits are a great way to get them started.  Establishing a physical presence in front of the net, and scoring tough goals is another.  The Islanders hammered Tampa 38 hits to 24 during that 5-2 victory over Tampa back on April 4th, then absolutely pounded them into the boards again in Game One.

Just saying...

Welcome back to Brooklyn, Ben, a great place to visit ... for some.  Apparently for others, not so much.

Fugheddaboudit...

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: John Tavares Plants His Flag on Flatbush Avenue

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
ROUND ONE

Islanders defeat Panthers 4-2

I - NYI 5; FLA 4

II - FLA 3; NYI 1

III - NYI 4; FLA 3*

IV - FLA 2; NYI 1

V - NYI 2; FLA 1*

VI - NYI 2; FLA 1*

*OVERTIME

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: It took four years, but Barclays Center finally enjoyed its first transcendental moment.

The Brooklyn Nets' lone post-season series victory 

was clinched in Toronto.

Let the record show that on April 24, 2016, a hockey team from Brooklyn won its first ever Stanley Cup Playoff series.

The folks out in Uniondale, Nassau County, and greater Long Island, however, waited 23 long years for their favorite team to finally win a playoff series again.  The waiting period for Flatbush Avenue's first modern transcendental moment, on the other hand, wasn't nearly as long.  After all, it has only been seven months since the Islanders hosted the Borough's inaugural season opener.

There was nevertheless plenty for all to celebrate this past Sunday throughout this stretch of land separated from mainland New York proper.

After splitting games One and Two against the Panthers in Sunrise, Florida, Barclays Center's first ever NHL playoff game ended with Thomas Hickey's overtime goal, giving the Islanders a 2-1 series edge.

In Game Six, Barclays rumbled and shook like the walls of Jericho upon witnessing John Tavares' game tying goal with just 0:54 left in regulation, then damn nearly crumbled after his series clinching goal in double-overtime.

With the Knicks, Nets, Devils, and the recently eliminated New York Rangers all idle, the limelight turned its focus squarely on Islanders' captain John Tavares, whom demonstrated why he's quietly been the metropolitan area's premier hockey player throughout his seven year career.

Simply stating Tavares registered nine points (5 goals, 4 assists) in six games against the Florida Panthers would be a major injustice.  The Islanders team captain led his team into the second round of playoffs with uncommon actions and supreme deeds.

• Game One: His goal with 0:22 left in the 2nd period tied the game at two.
• Game Two: He scored the Islanders only goal during a 3-1 loss.
• Game Three: His first assist of the 2nd period helped bring the Islanders within 2-1 of the Panthers.  His second assist of the 2nd period helped the Islanders tie the game at three.
• Game Four: He scored the lone Islanders goal (PP) in a 2-1 loss.
• Game Six: He scored the game tying goal with 0:54 left in regulation, then stuffed in his own rebound with a wrap-around goal in double overtime.

Behind the Mask

All John Tavares' heroics would have been mere afterthoughts, however, were it not for the net minding of Thomas Greiss.  It took cartwheels and back flips, but the Isles' back-up goalie played like a season long starter against the Panthers, and for good reason.  He appeared in exactly half the Islanders games this season, and made 38 starts.  

Starting goalie Jaroslav Halak last played on March 8 against the Penguins.  Greiss then started 11 of the Islanders final 18 regular season games, before being thrust into Round One against the Florida Panthers.  Greiss posted a .944 Sv%, and a stellar 1.79 GAA in six games.  After surrendering four goals in Game One, Greiss limited the Panthers to 10 goals over the next five games, and held them to a lone goal in both games Five and Six.

*image: nydn/getty

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?

N.Y. Islanders: Flatbush Ave Braces for Brooklyn's First Ever Stanley Cup Playoff

From the desk of:  FIVE FOR FLATBUSH

Series tied 1-1

I - NYI 5; FLA 4

II - FLA 3; NYI 1

III - SUNDAY

GAME THREE

Florida Panthers

vs.

New York Islanders

FROM

Barclays Center

BROOKLYN

NEW YORK ISLANDERS: A bit of thanks for the team which brought NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs to Brooklyn...

For one season (1941-1942) the old New York Americans moved to Brooklyn.  World War II canceled their second season and essentially caused them to suspended team operations, but not without a promise from the league they'd be allowed reinstatement.  When ownership reapplied in 1946 after the war, the New York Rangers blocked them, thus ending NHL hockey in Brooklyn.

After a 73 year adjournment, the Islanders bring the first ever NHL Stanley Cup playoff game and series to Kings County.

A quest that started back in 1985 after winning four consecutive championships in Uniondale, the Islanders' Drive for Five resumes tonight, only this time along Flatbush Avenue.

The Other Ghosts of Flatbush: Brooklyn Americans Hockey Club

ICYMI

N.Y. Islanders: Five For Flatbush

If the Islanders want to get by the Panthers, 

they must slow them down!

This is a team that posted back-to-back 100 point seasons.

Don't get me wrong, the Islanders can skate along side Father Time Jaromir Jagr, and his young band of Florida sunshine.  Game Two may have been just one of those things ... after all, they peppered 37-year old Robert Luongo with 42 shots.

The Isles, however, have been playing without their own starting goalie, Jaroslav Halak.  Backup Thomas Greiss has been in net the first two games.  Since Jaroslav last played on March 8, Greiss started 11 of the Isles final 18 games, in which he posted a 4-7 record.  The Isles were outscored in those games 34-29 (including the decisive goal in shoot-outs).  Greiss' worst moment to date may have come on March 25, when the Isles fell to Tampa by a 7-4 margin.  He faced 41 shots that evening, allowing 6 goals.  In the 3rd period, he allowed a pair of even strength goals within 23 seconds of each other, and three goals overall.

After two games in Florida, the Islanders have been outscored by a slim 7-6 margin.  That's too close for comfort, and something the Islanders' forward lines must change - not necessarily Greiss, or any potential return of Halak.

That said, defensive issues have long been a point of contention for Coach Capuano and the Isles.   Look no further than Game One, when five goals barely held up.

John Tavares brought the Islanders to within a goal of Florida at the 16:27 mark of the 3rd in Game Two.  The Isles nevertheless fell short, with the emphasis being Tavares (and his line) can not carry the Islanders by himself - he/they can, but he can't ... not in the playoffs ... and not with this kind of depth.

Quick item - Brock Nelson must continue being a leading scorer for the team.

Otherwise, the Islanders strength is their depth of forward lines, from the first to their fourth units, and their overall physicality.

Lean on that.  Lean on them.  Grind the Panthers down to a crawl.  The Islanders let the Panthers skate around a bit too much in Game Two and paid a price.  Said another way, it's time to make wall paste art out of Panthers jerseys along the side boards of Barclays Center.

That falls on all four lines, but, particularly the fourth.

An early goal and big hits will go a long way towards educating an only somewhat newer Brooklyn fan base in playoff hockey etiquette, and what is expected of them tonight at Barclays Center.

To all you Long Islanders coming into Brooklyn aboard the LIRR, I hope this playoff run makes all your efforts worth while,

.....for as long as it doesn't come at the expense of Tex's Rangers - whom are incorrectly referred to as an Original Six member.  The Americans came first and got screwed.

Just saying...

Stanley Cup Playoffs - Brooklyn is in the house.