2016 Playoffs, Panthers Game 3: Never Say Dielanders

John Tavares knew that game 3 would be epic.  "We love our fan base and the passion and the intensity they bring, so we're looking forward to that." The Barclays Center was buzzing at the start of Islanders game 3 against the Panthers, the first ever NYI Bklyn playoff game.   New York lost game 2 in Florida after doing a lot of things right, but needed more secondary scoring and more defensive contributions from everyone on the ice.  The Isles were in need of a fast start, but instead would fall behind early as they have in each game so far after surrendering a goal in the first few minutes of the first and second periods, falling behind 2-0.  The Panthers had thought that they had a 3-0 lead 5 minutes into the second but Coach Jack Capuano and the Islanders video coach, Matt Bertani issued a coaches challenge, gambling that the play was off sides and would soon have the goal overturned.  And after the replay confirmed it, the score remained 2-0 and the Islanders would be re-energized as a result of the momentum exchange.

Soon after, the Islanders would take advantage of a 5 on 3 PP opportunity off a Ryan Pulock (Okposo & Tavares) blast to close the deficit to a 2-1 margin.  Florida would soon add another tally a few minutes later, but the Islanders would answer back in a flurry of offensive pressure.  An emotional Shane Prince (Pulock & de Haan) and Frans Nielsen PPG (Tavares & Okposo) would help New York tie the game before the second intermission.  The third period would be a queasy, mistake filled flurry of missed opportunities that saw both teams come close to the go ahead score with both goalies make the big saves.  At the end of regulation, the shots were even at 31, the Isles were 2 of 4 on PP and 3 for 3 on the PK.  They were hitting and grabbing takeaways (13) all over the ice.

The Islanders came out hard early in the O.T. period, getting quite a few good changes in on Luongo while Thomas Greiss made a few great saves in close as well.  At 12:31 of O.T., Thomas Hickey (Nelson & Bailey) was the hero after taking a feed from Brock Nelson with a defender draped all over him from behind the net and putting it past Luongo after moving past Jagr to make the play.  Per Eric Hornick, “Hickey is first Isles D to score a playoff OT goal since Ken Morrow vs NYR in 1984.”  Isles win 4-3 in O.T.

Both teams had 8 shots on net in the overtime period.  The Islanders surrendered ground early and clawed back into regulation a little later than most fans wanted.  They made things hard for themselves again, but were resilient and kept grinding despite 3 tough games in 4 nights.

Matt Martin played big again.  He was throwing the body, using his speed to negate icings and just playing his regular irritating brand of hockey.  The line of Prince, Quine & Strome was also good again, doing a lot of the little things that helped their team win.  Thomas Hickey got the game winner and has had his share of quiet heroics for the Islanders, including the playoff clincher vs Washington.  Matt Larkin had a comment on Hickey, “Three years ago Thomas Hickey didn't know if he'd ever make the NHL, six years after he was drafted. Now he's a playoff overtime hero. Cool.”  He is definitely been a quiet, inconspicuous hero for the Islanders this year. And good for the oft’ maligned Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey for strong efforts tonight setting up some big goals and the game winner when it mattered most.  Thomas Greiss (36 for 39 with a .923Sv%) was reliable throughout the game and definitely made his share of big saves.  And don’t forget Head Coach, Jack Capunao and video coach, Matt Bertani’s ballsy challenge that could be looked back upon as the turning point of the game.

Ryan Pulock (1 & 1 for 2 pts) is my Grail Knight of the game.  He has risen to the occasion, making big plays on special teams and has really made a difference in the defensive zone so far in the playoffs for New York.

The Barclays Center was bangin’ tonight.  Kudos to the faithful who came out and jammed the stands for game 3.  You guys definitely helped keep a few of their critics quiet.

The “Never Say Dielanders” lead the series, 2-1.  Game 4 is in Brooklyn on Wednesday, 4/20 at 8 p.m.

Isles Notes:

Per NHL PR. “After 121 playoff games at Nassau Coliseum, @NYIslanders will play their first postseason contest at Barclays Center.”

Per Petter Botte, “Isles have lost the next game following their last 11 postseason victories. Haven't won back-to-back playoff games since 2002 vs. Toronto.”

Per NHL, “Clark Gillies, who attended Game 3 of #FLAvsNYI, scored GWG in the @NYIslanders’ 1st playoff win at Nassau Coliseum (April 20, 1975 vs. PIT.)”

NHL's'Iceman' at Barclays.