The New York Islanders are on that precipice between glory and crestfallen: With Game 6 at Nassau Coliseum and a chance to close the series, they could either celebrate in front of fans...or head back to Boston dejected and digesting a missed opportunity.
With all the nerves jangling, it’s nice to know they’re generally an even keel group no matter what happens, including giving up the first goal again and again.
“They’re a veteran group, they rely on each other,” Barry Trotz said the other day. “I do think we stay pretty calm. There’s times where we’re like a duck on water, feet are moving like crazy, but I think we’re able to stabilize.”
For our hearts’ sake, here’s hoping this one is just a big party rather than a nailbiter or — perish the thought — a lo...a lo...an...outcome that necessitates a Game 7.
For the Bruins, the latest injury is to Curtis Lazar, which means Jake DeBrusk returns to the lineup.
They will start Tuukka Rask, who is somehow a divisive figure among Bruins fans. But he has a long track record of calm under pressure, including do-or-die Game 6 scenarios like this one.
Random Fact from The Skinny
The Isles have allowed 196 shots in this series -- it is the most shots they have allowed through five games in any series in their history. The previous record was set two weeks ago (194 vs. Pittsburgh).