Islanders Playoff Gameday News: Series command on the line in Game 5 vs. Lightning

Not a ton of news yet in between Games 4 and 5 of the Islanders-Lightning Stanley Cup semifinal, but we’ll have a new Islanders Anxiety podcast and new weekly Back and Forth from Dan.

Meanwhile, not much to say to add weight to the significance of tonight. In the previous series this spring the Islanders have used Game 5 to take the lead, then finish it off the next game. But this is a tougher round against a tougher opponent. We all know the stakes and the fright, the opportunity and the potential elation.

But in case you need more hype, enjoy this clip and the welcome sight of the captain:

And angle #73 on the Pulock save:

Islanders-Lightning News

• Preview: “We’re only halfway home, there’s still a long way to go here.” [Isles]
• About that “fantasy hockey” Palmieri-Komarov swap, which we wouldn’t mind seeing a little more. [Post]
• A Game 5 watch party will be held at the Coliseum. [Newsday]
• Speaking of which, a tribute to the old barn, with its final playoff game coming sometime this postseason. [Sportsnet]
• Ryan Pulock continues to get the “legend” treatment after his Game 4 save. [Best @ Newsday | Vacarro @ the Post]

Elsewhere

• The Golden Knights switched things up and started Robin Lehner for Game 4. It paid off, as Vegas won in OT to tie the series, despite the Canadiens having the better of play.
• Lehner had a great post-game comment: “I got here two hours early so I could watch you guys talk s— on Twitter to motivate me.” [Sportsnet]
• Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon is isolating after a positive Covid test. [Sportsnet]
• Rod Brind’Amour won the Adams trophy for best coach. [NHL]
• Aleksander Barkov reflects on winning the Selke trophy. [NHL]