New York Islanders at Tampa Bay Lightning [Round 3, Game 5 thread]

Ho-hum, just another massively important game in the franchise’s revival and with our emotional well-being on the line.

The New York Islanders are in Tampa for Game 5 vs. the Lightning, and a win would give them two shots — including one at Nassau Coliseum — to close out the series and reach their first Stanley Cup final since 1984.

But...first things first, and all that. One step at a time, etc. Things could go south in a hurry, or this magical 2021 ride could continue. No lineup curveballs are expected or anything like that; these teams know what to expect from each other and it’s just a matter of who sticks to it better and who maybe gets a bounce or missed call or two.

Brendan Burke has the fill-in call for NBC Sports, so hopefully the Islanders provide him a chance to do a memorable call in a totally neutral voice.

Wherever you are to catch this one, we understand you are ready.

Totally outside of things, but here’s a periodic reminder that Marian Gaborik and former Islander Anders Nilsson are on the Lightning, technically, for a total cap savings of over $7 million (Not that we’re complaining.):