Lighthouse Hockey - New York Islanders vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 2019 Stanley Cup PlayoffsLighthouse Hockey: Try to fixate on something else.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50729/lhh-fav.png2019-04-18T17:45:48-04:00http://www.lighthousehockey.com/rss/stream/180674892019-04-18T17:45:48-04:002019-04-18T17:45:48-04:00Islanders-Penguins Playoffs Post-Mortem: Revisiting Our 10 Things to Watch
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<figcaption>“Danger? I don’t even know what that is.” | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>How the Islanders Took Down the Pittsburgh Penguins in a Stunning Four-Game Sweep</p> <p id="L88THu">It’s now been a couple of days since the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> last took the ice in Pittsburgh, and the excitement among the fanbase doesn’t seem to be quieting down. Which... is good, it shouldn’t! </p>
<p id="BIh5mo">In a pretty stunning turn of events, the Islanders swept the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> out of the playoffs in four games over a span of seven days. The team now awaits the winner of the series between the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> and <a href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Carolina Hurricanes</a>. </p>
<p id="WW842L">In the meantime, let’s go back to <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/9/18302038/islanders-vs-penguins-playoffs-2019-keys">our series preview. Within, we outlined 10 keys to the series</a> for both teams (though it admittedly was written in more of an Islanders lens). Now that the dust has settled, let’s go through each one and take a look at how everything shook out. </p>
<h3 id="LPpXmn"><strong>1. The Goaltending Battle</strong></h3>
<p id="Dy2OoW">When the series began, both <span>Robin Lehner</span> and <span>Matt Murray</span> were coming in playing strong hockey. However, as the games began to unfold, it was clear that one of the two was playing at an entirely different level.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">NYI-PIT <br>all 3 possible goalies have been pretty good recently <a href="https://t.co/qXQ9LB3SIo">pic.twitter.com/qXQ9LB3SIo</a></p>— Cole Anderson (@ice_cole_data) <a href="https://twitter.com/ice_cole_data/status/1115333180733763584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 8, 2019</a>
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<p id="BEiNeB">Let’s break this down further. During 5v5 play, <span>Murray</span> faced 89 shots and stopped 79 of them (.888 save percentage). Lehner faced 112 shots and stopped 108 (.964). This carried over to high danger shots, where Murray had a .824 save percentage on 34 shots and Lehner had a .962 save percentage on 26 shots. </p>
<p id="INAdhW"><em>Put shortly, Lehner allowed a single high danger goal against during the entire series, which is nothing short of remarkable.</em></p>
<p id="iqSDYT">In totality,<a href="http://sinbin.vegas/advanced-stats-vgk-dummies-goals-saved-average/"> goals saved above average is a metric</a> that measures individual goalies against league average goalies. Lehner is currently second in the playoffs with a +3.83 GSAA at 5v5 play. <span>Matt Murray</span> is second to last with -3.77 GSAA. </p>
<p id="mqGJQe">Both goalies were good in penalty kill situations, but once again, Lehner shined saving 12 of 13 shots, including going 4-for-4 in high danger attempts by Pittsburgh. Murray was good here too, saving 21 of 23 shots and 7 of 9 high danger shots. In fact, both goalies rank in the top-5 in playoff GSAA on the penalty kill. </p>
<p id="l2CBfI">These are small samples and should not be used with any real predictive context, but that’s all we have right now. And in terms of describing how the series between New York and Pittsburgh unfolded, it is clear that <span>Robin Lehner</span> was a <em>clear</em> driver for why the series ended so quickly.</p>
<h3 id="NkwADR"><strong>2. Don’t Take Penalties At All</strong></h3>
<p id="sVc9Qn">One of the biggest concerns from the Islanders’ point of view heading into this series was the ability to shut down Pittsburgh’s power play. With an elite cast of <span>Sidney Crosby</span>, <span>Evgeni Malkin</span>, <span>Phil Kessel</span>, and <span>Kris Letang</span> combined with the Isles’ 30th ranked expected goals against per hour (via Evolving Hockey) on the penalty kill, this was an area that was pinpointed as a potential series “x-factor.”</p>
<p id="e5Jx8u">Turns out that it was, but not in the way conventional wisdom would have led you to believe.</p>
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<figcaption>Heatmap from Natural Stat Trick</figcaption>
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<p id="1Smjxp">Pittsburgh did a good job getting shots from the slot during their powerplay chances. Their total attempts per hour (114.93) ranked third among all playoffs teams and their scoring chance rate per hour (65.23) is currently fourth. </p>
<p id="Cwz3kw">However, the Islanders penalty kill basically swallowed everything up before it reached the net, as Pittsburgh’s 40.38 shots-on-net per hour ranks dead last among all playoff teams. While the Isles collapsed well and protected the front of their net with mastery, the Pens still got some opportunities as their 6.00 expected goals per hour was a slightly better 12th (of 16).</p>
<p id="g1VPt7">But between Lehner and the Isles’ defense keeping shots near the higher portion of the slot, the Pens only scored a single powerplay goal over the four games, and with three of the four games tied or within a goal late into the third period, the Isles’ shutdown of the Pens’ stars served as a major focal point for this series to end as fast as it did.</p>
<h3 id="fD80Gy"><strong>3. Find a Way to Play Even on Special Teams</strong></h3>
<p id="htmZ1w">The Isles did one better here as they outscored the Penguins on the power play over the course of the series. Granted, it was by a single goal (2-1 in total), but that’s more than the original point called for. </p>
<p id="UK8hGb">The Isles’ power play during this series was pretty good, despite the fact they whiffed on multiple two-man advantages and initially started 0-for-5 in Game 2. During the series, New York finished with 9.22 expected goals per hour on the power play, ranking third among playoff teams.</p>
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<figcaption>Heatmap from Natural Stat Trick</figcaption>
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<p id="hzErwJ">If we look at the 5v4 heatmap, we can see pretty clearly how that was the case. The Islanders took the vast majority of their attempts below the hashmarks. They also utilized <span>Jordan Eberle</span>’s spot on the half-wall and <span>Devon Toews</span>’ spot at the point effectively as well, creating some other looks that allowed them to further accentuate their strategic direction of getting “close-in” shots. The Penguins had little answer for this, as the Isles’ 66.4 shots-on-net per hour ranks a solid third in the league.</p>
<p id="0iJ1vn">Both of the Isles’ power play goals were scored in the home plate area of the ice, driven by their 37.53 high danger chances per hour (ranking second in the league). Combine that with how strong their penalty kill was, special teams turned into an asset for New York during the series and was a key component in their victory.</p>
<h3 id="ethAAC"><strong>4. Protect the Front of the Net</strong></h3>
<p id="4loKTr">Truthfully, this is one area that could be worked on heading into the next round. </p>
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<figcaption>Heatmap from Natural Stat Trick</figcaption>
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<p id="JGLRi8">The above heatmap shows all of the 5v5 score-venue adjusted attempts for both clubs. And as we can see, there is quite the dark hue that starts at the Isles net and basically stretches out into the high slot. Without the magic of <span>Robin Lehner</span> and his .962 high danger save percentage, perhaps this series ends up a lot differently. <a href="http://www.naturalstattrick.com/glossary.php?teams">Let’s quickly show Natural Stat Trick’s map of what constitutes a high danger attempt (in blue)</a>.</p>
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<figcaption>via Natural Stat Trick</figcaption>
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<p id="MvrtNE">The chances came from pretty much everywhere. <span>Patric Hornqvist</span>, who did not have a productive series, led Pittsburgh with 7 individual high danger chances at even strength. <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> (6) and <span>Sidney Crosby</span> (5) were right behind him. After that, only <span>Garrett Wilson</span> and <span>Jake Guentzel</span> (who we highlighted in our preview piece) had four or more. </p>
<p id="syImZU">In total, the Islanders allowed the sixth most high danger chances per hour of all teams through the first four games. Granted, it is <em>really</em> hard to continually shut down players of Crosby’s ilk, but it’s something the Islanders will have to do - especially if Washington ends up being their next opponent. </p>
<p id="iUBDWQ">Mark this one down as an area of opportunity.</p>
<h3 id="Laqdeb"><strong>5. Power Versus Power</strong></h3>
<div id="NYqXOd"><div data-anthem-component="gallery:6201509"></div></div>
<p id="fJJo7l">In the above matchup charts via Micah Blake McCurdy’s <a href="http://HockeyViz.com">HockeyViz.com</a>, we can see that over the course of the series the Islanders had a fairly simple philosophy at home. Head Coach Barry Trotz opted to primarily play a Martin-Cizikas-Clutterbuck-Pelech-Pulock unit against the Crosby line, which worked pretty well. </p>
<p id="Xk5QUh">Game 1 was a lot more matchup based than Game 2, with the <span>Nelson</span> line moving from the <span>Malkin</span> assignment in Game 1 to a mix of Crosby and Malkin in Game 2. The Mathew Barzal line was largely used against a few different looks in Game 1, but ultimately were mostly on the Simon-Bjugstad-<span>Kessel</span> trio in the second game to great success. </p>
<p id="rVokoW">Mike Sullivan must have taken notice what he saw in Game 2 because the Penguins played an extreme matchup heavy game in Game 3. Sullivan moved the Cizikas line off Crosby and onto the Malkin line, keeping the Barzal line against <span>Kessel</span>, and largely aiming to get the Crosby line out against the Nelson line. </p>
<p id="0rpuZb">However like Trotz, there was a clear adjustment in Game 4 with matchups becoming a lot flatter - in their desperation, Pittsburgh aimed less for matchups and more for “keeping <span>Sidney Crosby</span> and their stars out on the ice as much as possible.”</p>
<p id="wDLGUm">In short, we saw some similar patterns by both coaches during their first home game relative to their second. It’s clear there was a lot of tinkering going on throughout the mini home series, but the impacts itself on the series are hard to directly and accurately gauge. </p>
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<strong>6. Pittsburgh’s Defense Might Be Underrated… Except </strong><span><strong>Jack Johnson</strong></span>
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<p id="eSacx8">There’s a lot of talk coming out of Pittsburgh right now regarding the effectiveness of their defense, and in fairness, this one is a bit more difficult to pinpoint. There’s no question there were some simple mistakes made by the Pens over the course of the series, but there also appears to be a bit of an overreaction to a small sample size as well.</p>
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<figcaption>Score-Venue Adjusted Metrics via Natural Stat Trick</figcaption>
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<p id="5ihBFg"><span>Kris Letang</span> is an interesting case. He made some pretty obvious mistakes, such as this giveaway:</p>
<div id="jqwTyf"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gAG6w1Fmqq8?rel=0" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div>
<p id="dAK65A">However, overall, he was actually pretty good. He led the Penguins in expected goal share and high danger chance share, as seen above. And in fact, he was the only Penguins defenseman with a high danger chance share of over 50%. The downside for <span>Letang</span> has to be headlined by an on-ice shooting percentage of 1.94%. In other words, the Penguins - as a team - shot under 2% while <span>Letang</span> is on the ice. That’s going to make any player appear worse than they are actually playing, which combined with Letang’s visual mishaps was the case here.</p>
<p id="5yE90J">On the other hand, <span>Jack Johnson</span> was indeed as bad as advertised. The Penguins’ expected goal share while he was on the ice was an abysmal 32.21%. Johnson’s on-ice high danger chance share was an even worse 28.45%, and in real goals, the Penguins were outscored 3-0 while he was on the ice. </p>
<p id="blNhRD">In short, Mike Sullivan’s quick hook of <span>Olli Maatta</span> to insert <span>Jack Johnson</span> was the best possible outcome for the Islanders. It had a very real impact on the series, and was a self-inflicted wound by the Penguins which likely caused the series to end earlier than expected.</p>
<h3 id="EM6ABe"><strong>7. Maximizing The Lineup</strong></h3>
<p id="F7t7Vf">There’s at least some crow for me to eat here, given the outcome of the series. The focus is going to be on the decision to play former Penguin and noted two-time <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl-playoffs">Stanley Cup</a> winner <span>Tom Kuhnhackl</span> over <span>Michael Dal Colle</span>, which is something that — if you’ve read my work — I would not have recommended. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">For the record, I told <a href="https://twitter.com/habermetrics?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@habermetrics</a> that Tom Kuhnhackl would a) have a two-goal game in this series and b) score the OT winner.<br><br>He did both last night, tbh</p>— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) <a href="https://twitter.com/StapeAthletic/status/1116343373407899648?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a>
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<p id="ieoDHH">Still, <span>Kuhnhackl</span> responded in kind playing a set of noticeable games for the Islanders while on the second line alongside <span>Brock Nelson</span> and Josh Bailey. Finishing with two assists in the four games, Kuhnhackl’s series was highlighted by 8 individual scoring chances, which ranked fifth among all Isles forwards. He also, less than a minute into the first game, added a goal that never actually happened due to an offsides play. </p>
<p id="u1r10c">That said, it was not all roses for Kuhnhackl. As he normally does, Kuhnhackl really struggled with the possession side of the game. He was a -12.03% in shot attempts for relative, essentially meaning the Islanders were 12% worse when it comes to shot attempts while Kuhnhackl was on the ice. This stretched across multiple metrics as Kuhnhackl was also -23.17% expected goals relative, -16.42% scoring chances relative, and a -34.35% high danger chance relative. </p>
<p id="KwIiow">This is almost certainly a case where the eye test does not mesh with the data. There is no question that Kuhnhackl was working hard and trying to create as much as he could, but against tougher competition, the puck was in the Isles’ end more often than not. And if not for Robin Lehner’s heroics, perhaps the scoresheet looks a lot worse than it does now.</p>
<p id="V3PQO7">While there is no reason to expect changes, this is still an area that the Isles may want to look to improve if the start of the next round turns in the opposite direction.</p>
<h3 id="vFOGFl"><strong>8. The Nassau Coliseum Factor</strong></h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The ever popular Josh Bailey song. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> lead 3-1 with 8:15 left in the game <a href="https://t.co/h1qWpV1dHJ">pic.twitter.com/h1qWpV1dHJ</a></p>— Christian Arnold (@C_Arnold01) <a href="https://twitter.com/C_Arnold01/status/1116884143009406976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="wAfrWB">There isn’t really a whole lot to add here. The Nassau Coliseum was loud, electric, and generally a great place to be for both games during the first round. It’s a shame the team won’t be playing there anymore this year, but it is what it is. </p>
<p id="BENtSd">It’s a tough place to play in the playoffs, as many of the Pens stated, and that’s due to the amount of fan engagement and intensity that exists. The Isles obviously went 2-0 here during the series, which gave them the early series edge they needed to finish Pittsburgh off.</p>
<p id="cK65Hf">This is a totally intangible element, but it was palpable throughout both home games.</p>
<h3 id="KXuXEi"><strong>9. Play Physical, Not Reckless</strong></h3>
<p id="flHnlA">There was a very clear motivation early on to frustrate <span>Evgeni Malkin</span>. With <span>Johnny Boychuk</span> as the primary matchup in the first game, the Islanders took a noticeable attention to play physical against Malkin, and over time it certainly worked.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">They appear to be getting under Malkin’s skin which appears like an intentional strategy.</p>— Carey Haber (@habermetrics) <a href="https://twitter.com/habermetrics/status/1116144485371731969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2019</a>
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<p id="xDUHks">Malkin, to his credit, did have a strong first game on Long Island but struggled for the rest of the series. Following a game ending melee in Game 2, Malkin was held pointless at home taking a total of three shots in the two games played in Pittsburgh. Without the effectiveness of one of the Penguins’ prominent weapons, the Penguins were held to just two goals during their home games.</p>
<h3 id="SZcUxf"><strong>10. “Get The Bounces”</strong></h3>
<p id="Stj3g2">At the end of the day, teams don’t sweep other teams at this level without getting bounces. The Islanders finished the first round with an almost incomprehensible 107.7 PDO at 5v5 play, which is second behind the <a href="https://www.knightsonice.com/">Vegas Golden Knights</a> as highest in the league. Between timely goals and incredible goaltending (plus a few open nets by <span>Phil Kessel</span> and <span>Sidney Crosby</span>), the Islanders got every bounce they needed to dispose of one of their division rivals as quickly as they possibly could have.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final Round 1 5v5 SVA Metrics vs. Pittsburgh (via <a href="https://twitter.com/NatStatTrick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatStatTrick</a>)<br><br>Pens 53.89% Attempts<br>Isles 51.39% Scoring Chances<br>Isles 53.37% High Danger Chances<br>Isles 50.73% Expected Goals<br><br>Isles 56.43% All Situations Expected Goals</p>— Carey Haber (@habermetrics) <a href="https://twitter.com/habermetrics/status/1118540236571729920?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
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<p id="jOXowp">All in all, there is little question who the better team was in this series. While much of the narrative has been about “how Pittsburgh lost the series,” the Islanders objectively outplayed Pittsburgh in three of the four games (Games 2-4), and were clearly deserving of this series win. Perhaps not as quickly as it unfolded, but remove the names from the teams and it is clear which team should have the opportunity to play into early May. </p>
<p id="OOj4Pb">That, of course, would be the New York Islanders.</p>
<p id="hQBXbo"><em>All data for this piece is from </em><a href="http://NaturalStatTrick.com"><em>NaturalStatTrick.com</em></a><em>, unless specified that it is from </em><a href="http://HockeyViz.com"><em>HockeyViz.com</em></a><em> or from </em><a href="http://Evolving-Hockey.com"><em>Evolving-Hockey.com</em></a><em>. </em></p>
<p id="u4KGd1"><em>All team metrics are as of games played through April 17.</em></p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/18/18485690/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-playoffs-sweep-reviewCarey Haber2019-04-17T07:15:00-04:002019-04-17T07:15:00-04:00Islanders Playoff News: Revelry for a sweep
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<img alt="New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Four" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/0b5dhuaNVDupstuvY1FyDbX_ZJk=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63571290/1137667109.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“Hey, thanks for playing. No really — we’re super glad you played.” | Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>New York gets a timely rest thanks to gutsy effort after Clutterbuck, Boychuk leave with injuries.</p> <p id="ugb1oa">Wow does this feel different than 2016.</p>
<p id="PyEOrn">That year <span>Thomas Greiss</span> was every bit as huge as <span>Robin Lehner</span> now, and <span>John Tavares</span> was big like <span>Jordan Eberle</span> and <span>Brock Nelson</span> have been over the past week. But there’s been something about watching Barry Trotz roll four lines and so many players clearly understanding their assignments in every situation, it’s different than that series against the <a href="https://www.litterboxcats.com/">Panthers</a>, even though the scoring margins were every bit as close.</p>
<p id="5W4kHz">And while that year I personally felt bad for the Panthers and their fans, there is zero remorse in dispatching the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> in short order, and watching their media and fanbase turn on the team. (Also: The Islanders are now 4-1 all time in playoff series vs. the Penguins. Order is restored.)</p>
<p id="HNYQdf">But every playoff series is different. Every victory has a different sweet flavor profile. This one? Instead of being about removing the monkey and ending the drought since 1993, it’s about what may be yet to come this spring and — no matter how the next round goes — how things are looking up for the next few years.</p>
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<a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> News</h4>
<p id="OOSdZE"><strong>About last night: </strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="nRrg4H">Sweet, sweet sweep. [<a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/16/18411309/islanders-3-penguins-1-game-4-sweep-lehner-eberle-barzal-nelson-bailey-trotz-crosby-guentzel-malkin">LHH</a> | <a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/isles-penguins-game-4-1.29877549">Newsday</a> | <a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/game-4-recap-isles-complete-first-round-over-pens/c-306826634">Isles</a> | <a href="https://nypost.com/2019/04/16/islanders-on-to-second-round-of-nhl-playoffs-with-sweep-of-penguins/">Post</a>]</li>
<li id="e3rxnE">
<span>Jordan Eberle</span> was the first Islander to score in four straight playoff games since...KIP MILLER?! And the Islanders swept for the first time since wiping the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> for their fourth consecutive Cup. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-game-4-recap/c-306818826">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="oAFQ6T">Now the Isles are a team nobody wants to face? Well, it’s the afterglow of victory. [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/islanders-penguins-sweep-1.29896366">Best @ Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="J3lBMZ">Jordan Eberle join Ray Ferraro in Isles history. [<a href="http://www.nyiskinny.com/2019/04/the-skinny-isles-3-pittsburgh-1-isles_17.html">NYI Skinny</a>]</li>
<li id="J14pgZ">There was no update on <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span> or <span>Johnny Boychuk</span>, who each left late in the second period and didn’t return. <span>Clutterbuck</span> took an uncalled slash to the hand, <span>Boychuk</span> a shot block on the lower leg.</li>
<li id="QCcE9P">Who in their right mind f—-s with Robin Lehner? [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/brock-nelson-scott-mayfield-1.29889100?utm_source=tw_sp">Newsday</a>]</li>
</ul>
<p id="cnqoaG"><strong>Before last night:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="mq6cR7">Games 3 and 4 hero <span>Brock Nelson</span> recalled the Islanders’ previous playoff series win in 2016. [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/brock-nelson-scott-mayfield-1.29889100">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="VTGkUl">
<span>Ryan Pulock</span>’s transformation into an elite defenseman has been huge. [<a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/2019/04/16/ryan-pulock-islanders-defense-nhl-playoffs-penguins?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=si-nhl&utm_source=twitter.com&xid=socialflow_twitter_si">SI</a>]</li>
<li id="htN0cs">He and <span>Adam Pelech</span> were big in shutting down <span>Sidney Crosby</span>. [<a href="https://nypost.com/2019/04/16/the-two-islanders-responsible-for-shutting-down-sidney-crosby/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons">Post</a>]</li>
<li id="oFtHR5">
<span>Robin Lehner</span> has been a key too, of course. [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/robin-lehner-barry-trotz-goalie-choice-1.29881067">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="hGK2m2">And here were five keys heading into Game 4. How’d they do? [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-game-4-preview/c-306810836?tid=306191790">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="nq8rDW">And how did the Islanders approach Game 4? “Calmer than you are, Dude.” [<a href="https://nypost.com/2019/04/16/islanders-are-doing-their-best-to-remain-calm/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons">Post</a>]</li>
<li id="UebiKl">This young Raleigh Isles fan has the <span>Josh Bailey</span> song down. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/islanders-fan-sings-song-for-josh-bailey-in-viral-video/c-306796244">Isles</a>]</li>
<li id="QKxJJ8">Bridgeport notes as they prepare for Game 1 against Hershey on Friday. [<a href="https://blog.ctnews.com/fornabaio/2019/04/16/little-tea-leaves-tuesday-notes/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">Soundin’ Off</a>]</li>
</ul>
<p id="yVBzkb">Wow, Goalie Mayfield:</p>
<div id="Fkep2u">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APRIL16?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APRIL16</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYIvsPIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYIvsPIT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GM4?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GM4</a> 3rd period<br>LOOK AT THIS STOP BY MAYFIELD! <a href="https://t.co/2jJqESnxU8">pic.twitter.com/2jJqESnxU8</a></p>— John Smith (@ThisIsMyReplay) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsMyReplay/status/1118330224507334656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="G8ok0P">Hey you, stop that or they’ll call...(they didn’t call a penalty. Well, I mean they did on Barzal, but...):</p>
<div id="AB5fk5">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mat Barzal has had ENOUGH of your cross checks <a href="https://t.co/ZzktpBzAvn">pic.twitter.com/ZzktpBzAvn</a></p>— Pete Blackburn (@PeteBlackburn) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteBlackburn/status/1118305273821761536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="18xSNg">How it ended:</p>
<div id="2vTZCe">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Savor this moment, <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYIslanders</a> fans.<br><br>The final seconds & the line as the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> SWEEP the Penguins! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/YESYESYES?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#YESYESYES</a> <a href="https://t.co/74rObJaGyo">pic.twitter.com/74rObJaGyo</a></p>— MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) <a href="https://twitter.com/MSGNetworks/status/1118339273349050368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="GAKpq4">Close series? Yes, for sure each game was. But also:</p>
<div id="mUYRXw">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Final series stats: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> trailed for only 4:51. Pitt had an empty net for longer than that -- 5:55. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYIvsPIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYIvsPIT</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SWEEP?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SWEEP</a></p>— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) <a href="https://twitter.com/ehornick/status/1118344884749000704?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="sr0J6U">How are YOU feeling? Like a statue:</p>
<div id="aW7EzX">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">New wallpaper <a href="https://t.co/Y5dQJlU7gD">pic.twitter.com/Y5dQJlU7gD</a></p>— Not That I Particularly Care (@KeithLHHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeithLHHockey/status/1118338320667435008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="pPVP6x">You tell ‘em, Robin:</p>
<div id="xtc7Eu">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">“We have a good team and we’ve been overlooked a little bit” <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#isles</a> <a href="https://t.co/HKAycoTC3r">pic.twitter.com/HKAycoTC3r</a></p>— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) <a href="https://twitter.com/IslesWhiteSUV/status/1118344946610786304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<p id="g4cpO8">And you, Matty Marts:</p>
<div id="y4cmQy">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matt Martin: "We believe in ourselves. We pretty well just have our fanbase and our families and this group that believe in us. That's all we need. We really don't need anyone else's validation. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a></p>— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BComptonNHL/status/1118347229587283968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<h4 id="WfRBCn">Elsewhere</h4>
<p id="Uw7EUo">That wasn’t the only sweep last night. As you surely heard, the historic <a href="https://www.rawcharge.com/">Lightning</a> went down to a historic first-round sweep. Never before has that happened to a President’s Trophy winner. It’s also the first <a href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Blue Jackets</a> playoff series win, meaning all 31 franchises have now enjoyed the right side of the handshake line at least once.</p>
<p id="QA9tu2">Poor Jon Cooper and the Bolts. The sadness:</p>
<div id="m5UFFe">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jon Cooper Talks Lightning’s Performance After Being Swept By Blue Jackets <a href="https://t.co/OT6havLlGo">https://t.co/OT6havLlGo</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/YouTube?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YouTube</a></p>— Kukla's Korner (@kuklaskorner) <a href="https://twitter.com/kuklaskorner/status/1118343628848599041?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
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<ul>
<li id="f7G0Iu">The Blue Jackets adjusted their forecheck and picked their poison to slow down the Lightning. [<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F927069%2F2019%2F04%2F16%2Fanalysis-blue-jackets-forecheck-a-difference-maker-as-it-stymies-lightning-offense%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F17%2F18411452%2Fislanders-penguins-sweep-clutterbuck-boychuk-injuries" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Athletic</a>]</li>
<li id="AhEFzW">Meanwhile, in other NHL scores the <a href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Jets</a> tied up their series at 2-2 with an OT win over the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a>, and the Knights took a 3-1 lead in their series with the <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/">Sharks</a>.</li>
<li id="crNLIb">In Chicago it’s already been the offseason for a while, but they’re looking for positives to their performance under <span>Jeremy Colliton</span>. [<a href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/2019/4/16/18301216/chicago-blackhawks-positives-analysis-2018-2019-season-review-nhl?_ga=2.33344445.2062467000.1555363521-370427558.1529040143">Second City Hockey</a>]</li>
<li id="8A7Bh5">Alain Vigneault is back in the Metro Division and Blueshirt Banter has nothing good to say about what the <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a> have in their new coach. [<a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2019/4/16/18328473/chatting-with-blueshirt-banter-about-alain-vigneault-new-york-rangers-philadelphia-flyers-coach?_ga=2.254642059.2062467000.1555363521-370427558.1529040143">Broad Street Hockey</a>]</li>
<li id="gygUtu">In other Coach Recycling news, Todd McLellan has been named coach of the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Kings</a>. [<a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/2019/4/16/18411173/todd-mclellan-announced-as-next-los-angeles-kings-head-coach?utm_campaign=jewelsfromthecrown&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&_ga=2.67071789.2062467000.1555363521-370427558.1529040143">Jewels From The Crown</a>]</li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/17/18411452/islanders-penguins-sweep-clutterbuck-boychuk-injuriesDominik2019-04-16T23:00:44-04:002019-04-16T23:00:44-04:00Islanders 3, Penguins 1 (EN): Never in Doubt
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<img alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5YjnqxomxsxezOzDVwWst7S1PsQ=/15x0:2997x1988/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63570992/usa_today_12544488.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Sealed it. | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Penguins made it really interesting down the stretch, but the Islanders finished the job. This job, anyway. Sweep!</p> <p id="SNuIyA">You knew the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> were going to come out swinging facing elimination in the form of an unlikely sweep. </p>
<p id="5JIBFX">But, perhaps even more so, you knew the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">Islanders</a> weren’t going to let it get in the way of what they’re trying to do.</p>
<p id="bdHiZA">Break out the brooms, folks. The Islanders have swept the Penguins out of the playoffs and are moving on to the Second Round.</p>
<div id="J2Dzu5">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">This team. <a href="https://t.co/CMztIeZzwv">pic.twitter.com/CMztIeZzwv</a></p>— x - New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1118344798950260736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
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<p id="PFuaYq">[<a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/GS030144.HTM">Game Sum</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/ES030144.HTM">Event Sum</a> | <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20182019&game=30144&view=limited">Natural Stat Trick</a> | <a href="https://hockeyviz.com/game/2018030144">HockeyViz</a>]</p>
<h4 id="XWW9wc">Classic Start</h4>
<p id="Iz2T9v">The Pittsburgh crowd was rocking from puck drop and the Pens’ top line finally gave them something to cheer about, and only 35 seconds into the game. <span>Sidney Crosby</span> stripped the puck away from <span>Adam Pelech</span> in the corner and found <span>Jake Guentzel</span> sliding down from the point to roof it past <span>Robin Lehner</span>. His goal, and <span>Crosby</span>’s assist, were both players’ first points of the series.</p>
<p id="mbmaL4">But <span>Jordan Eberle</span> took away the Penguins’ lead for the second straight game, and again it was a short one. Less than two minutes after <span>Guentzel</span>’s goal, <span>Mathew Barzal</span> and <span>Jordan Eberle</span> were sprung by <span>Scott Mayfield</span> for a two-on-one. They played catch before Eberle picked his corner and stunning <span>Matt Murray</span>.</p>
<h4 id="Elku3w">Pittsburgh Holds Its Ground</h4>
<p id="uG3LPy">The Penguins and their fans wouldn’t be stunted tonight like they were on Sunday afternoon. They continued to push and the crowd was behind them. They controlled the puck a bit more than the Isles in the first, but the Islanders did manage to keep the majority of Pittsburgh’s chances to the outside. The Islanders had a decent power play chance when the Penguins were called for too many men but didn’t convert. Meanwhile, the Penguins were given a man advantage because Barzal took a swing at <span>Brian Dumoulin</span> after <span>Dumoulin</span> gave a knocked-down Barzal four cross-checks to the skull, but Pittsburgh wasn’t allowed to get anything going and the boos began to rain down a little. Not to mention, the Islanders got a jump out of it, and used it to regain their game and a goal.</p>
<h4 id="EbSDUi">Forechecking To a Lead</h4>
<p id="P9nvYr">From a clear, <span>Tom Kuhnhackl</span> battled behind the cage with <span>Marcus Pettersson</span> to free the puck from his grasp. <span>Josh Bailey</span> was the first one on it and skated to the corner as <span>Brock Nelson</span> made his way to the front of the net. Bailey fired immediately toward Nelson and he corralled it on his forehand, beating <span>Murray</span> over the blocker to put the Islanders on top to end the first period.</p>
<p id="WVLOfg">The Islanders mostly played their game in the first, even though the Penguins had the better of the shot counter. The high danger chances and expected goals belonged to New York after one, as did the scoreboard.</p>
<div id="qYyRyk">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYIvsPIT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NYIvsPIT</a> 5v5 SVA Game 4 Metrics<br><br>First Period<br><br>Pens 57.77% Attempts<br>Isles 66.38% Scoring Chances<br>Isles 73.15% High Danger Chances<br>Isles 61.93% Expected Goals<br><br>Pens started strong but the Isles got back on track in the latter half of the period and lead after 1.<br><br>That heatmap <a href="https://t.co/txT27gzcPj">pic.twitter.com/txT27gzcPj</a></p>— Carey Haber (@habermetrics) <a href="https://twitter.com/habermetrics/status/1118309958519365632?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
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<h4 id="n6kPrV">Penguins on Their Game</h4>
<p id="uR4ncf">Pittsburgh’s desperation seeped into their play in the second period, at least according to my eyes. They started leaving it all out on the ice and pulled out all the stops they could think of.</p>
<p id="iUuucp">Still, though, the Islanders played decently. They contained the Pens enough to limit some of their chances and still kept them to the outside a bit, while also managing to create a few of their own chances. They were given a power play when <span>Patric Hornqvist</span> exchanged jabs with <span>Lehner</span>. Both gentlemen were given minors, but I believe <span>Hornqvist</span> earned himself an extra one — <span>Hornqvist</span> was clutching and grabbing all night.</p>
<p id="8ZE483">However, none of the Penguins’ chances resulted in a goal and the Islanders entered the final period up 2-1. Unfortunately, Eberle, <span>Johnny Boychuk</span>, and <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span>, left the ice with injuries. Eberle returned for the third, but the other two did not take another shift.</p>
<h4 id="lZzRLf">On the Edge of My Seat</h4>
<p id="n4Vtx2">The Penguins tried their damnedest to keep the game alive. There were a few times in the early part of the third period that the Islanders were able to play their style, but for the most part, the Pens drew them into a track meet. That being said, what the Islanders continued to do well was keep the puck away from high-danger areas.</p>
<p id="3SWvSO">Of course, the Penguins had a couple of them. They’re still the Penguins. But of the many shots the Penguins did throw toward the net, most were from beyond the dots and there were a few times where they set up a nice rush, only to get one-and-done’d by the depleted Islanders defenders.</p>
<p id="220eHM">Over the final three minutes, the Penguins rolled their strongest offensive players and had a few frightening chances to tie the game, looking like they were a man up even before pulling <span>Murray</span> for the extra attacker. After some extended zone time was halted by an Islanders icing, the Penguins called timeout before sending out the wrecking crew of <span>Sidney Crosby</span>, <span>Evgeni Malkin</span>, <span>Phil Kessel</span>, <span>Jake Guentzel</span>, <span>Kris Letang</span>, and <span>Justin Schultz</span> with 42 seconds remaining. The Islanders won the anticipated face-off, <span>Josh Bailey</span> wrangled the puck, and fired a lob toward the empty net.</p>
<p id="YSde2x">Goal. 3-1. Game, set, and match, the Islanders are moving on.</p>
<div id="hdEjTr">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"> Handshakes. <a href="https://t.co/vtS4d1rnSb">pic.twitter.com/vtS4d1rnSb</a></p>— x - New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1118340349716586497?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
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<h4 id="ak4Twu">Thoughts and Feelings</h4>
<p id="V9MvJO">I said going into this round that this series was going to be a tough one. I thought the Islanders had a chance, and picked them in 7 in my bracket, but wouldn’t have been surprised if the Penguins moved on. They’re the Penguins, after all. Honestly, I probably would’ve have laughed it off if you came from the future to tell me they’d sweep them. What a series, what a way to move on.</p>
<p id="3MGLIC">Credit to <span>Robin Lehner</span> and his .956 save percentage, and credit to the team defense in front of him that didn’t make his job all that hard. The Islanders defenders, for the most part, shut down all the weapons on the Penguins, and there are many.</p>
<p id="Y6DR4G">Credit to Jordan Eberle, who scored in every game of the sweep and added two assists. Credit to Mathew Barzal, who had five assists in his first four career playoff games. Credit to Josh Bailey, who has come on strong through this series with timely goals, including Game 1’s OT winner, and credit to <span>Brock Nelson</span>, who got the game-winner in half the wins.</p>
<p id="zEQCPF">And, of course, credit to Barry Trotz, Lane Lambert, John Gruden, Mitch Korn, Piero Greco, and even Scott Gomez. Their preparation was superb, and it showed in their players’ structure, discipline, and forecheck. They also capitalized excellently on the chances they forced.</p>
<div id="eJogyI">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/qFsqEID6cV">pic.twitter.com/qFsqEID6cV</a></p>— Culture of LOUsing (@cultureoflosing) <a href="https://twitter.com/cultureoflosing/status/1118341853521358853?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
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<p id="evF1q3">We’re not done, folks.</p>
<h4 id="YKykpG">Up Next</h4>
<p id="4KT8Bu">Hell no, we’re not done. But, we’ve got some time to kill. The Islanders will have at least a week and a half off, as the last day of the First Round will be next Wednesday, the 24th. Even if none of the series go 7 games, the NHL usually holds tight to their schedule. But that’s okay: the Islanders’ style of play isn’t hurt by time off — if anything, it should help. Not to mention, there a few guys banged up that could use some extra time to heal and rest.</p>
<p id="BNL0XI">The Second Round will likely start the weekend of the 26th, and the Islanders will take on the winner of the <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a>-<a href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Hurricanes</a> series. Washington leads the series 2-1 over Carolina. Their on-ice competition was pretty even through the first two games in D.C., but the Caps got the results they wanted in both. The ‘Canes utterly dominated last night back in Raleigh, though, so it will be interesting to see how much more they can muster. Hopefully, they go the distance and beat the ever-living shit out of each other.</p>
<div id="EgWASq">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Matt Martin: "We believe in ourselves. We pretty well just have our fanbase and our families and this group that believe in us. That's all we need. We really don't need anyone else's validation. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a></p>— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) <a href="https://twitter.com/BComptonNHL/status/1118347229587283968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 17, 2019</a>
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https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/16/18411309/islanders-3-penguins-1-game-4-sweep-lehner-eberle-barzal-nelson-bailey-trotz-crosby-guentzel-malkinSteven E. Smith2019-04-16T07:30:00-04:002019-04-16T07:30:00-04:00Islanders vs. Penguins Game 4 News: Finish them.
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<img alt="New York Islanders v Pittsburgh Penguins - Game Three" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n13NN4Cp6O2bX24fVzJ7Fb5PEEQ=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63480530/1137183740.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“But it’s not faaaair.” | Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In which the Islanders aim for the sweep, which would be really nice.</p> <p id="Xp2uof">Sweep-eligible Games 4 are always a fun wild card, because the underdog can be expected to give its best, final death desperate kicks at staving off death. But as soon as any adversity hits, it can be so easy to pack it in.</p>
<p id="CT33uI">Tonight the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> power play or general luck might turn around and give them a feel-good win in front of home fans. Or they could hit another post, face another <span>Lehner</span> wall, and wither in silence.</p>
<p id="4HQZrQ">Here’s to rooting on the latter. Leave your <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/15/18346350/fig-picks-islanders-penguins-game-4">First Islanders Goal picks here</a>.</p>
<h4 id="TJY1Xm">Islanders News</h4>
<ul>
<li id="xJsWJe">How have the Islanders pushed the Penguins to this point? I have some thoughts. Also, Barry’s off-day media scrum is therein. [<a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/15/18312192/pittsburgh-penguins-new-york-islanders-playoffs-barry-trotz">LHH</a>]</li>
<li id="mwlc4i">Despite all that, the Penguins will try to make adjustments, though Mike Sullivan wasn’t about to share them. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/pittsburgh-penguins-quiet-on-adjustments-for-game-4/c-306782798">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="f834H9">Podcasts? We had podcasts. Dan S. and Mike digested Game 3, the wonder of it all, and more obscure Islanders [<a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/15/18310764/islanders-anxiety-episode-85-this-is-just-organized-playoffs-penguins-shawn-bates">Islanders Anxiety</a>] while Noel and Dan P. marvel at eeeeeverything coming up Milhouse. [<a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/15/18311590/isles-buzz-everything-is-coming-up-milhouse-islanders-look-to-sweep-penguins">IslesBuzz</a>]</li>
<li id="0NIgr7">
<strong>NEW!</strong> Ryan Pulock gets <a href="https://www.si.com/nhl/2019/04/16/ryan-pulock-islanders-defense-nhl-playoffs-penguins?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=si-nhl&utm_source=twitter.com&xid=socialflow_twitter_si">a signature Alex Prewitt profile</a> in Sports Illustrated that delves into the defenseman’s summer, personality and the motivation behind him (also, Pulock’s mom sounds awesome).</li>
<li id="9x9BWy">
<strong>NEW!</strong> Staple on how the <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F926470%2F2019%2F04%2F16%2Fyou-cant-buy-their-experience-why-the-islanders-signed-their-three-veteran-forwards-for-this-moment%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F16%2F18343838%2Fislanders-news-penguins-playoffs-bridgeport" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">three veteran free agent forwards</a> that few were excited about this summer are helping the Islanders so far this series in spite of what some numbers say.</li>
<li id="4lCnbp">The Islanders know nothing is secured yet, “the fourth one is the toughest,” etc. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-staying-even-keeled-with-3-0-series-lead/c-306786214">Isles</a> | <a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/islanders-robin-lehner-penguins-1.29849805">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="tpwZFy">Meanwhile the Penguins are saying The Right Things about being able to come back and stuff. [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/penguins-islanders-crosby-1.29850065">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="pkUWOc">But their fans are wondering, what the hell happened to the Penguins? [<a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/2019/4/15/18311417/what-the-hell-happened-penguins-islanders-series-2019-nhl-playoffs?_ga=2.93703198.2062467000.1555363521-370427558.1529040143">PensBurgh</a>] And it’s looked like several flaws surfacing. [<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F924771%2F2019%2F04%2F15%2Fgentille-the-smaller-sequences-that-capture-the-penguins-bigger-issues%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F16%2F18343838%2Fislanders-news-penguins-playoffs-bridgeport" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Athletic</a>]</li>
<li id="QGz9ZP">
<span>Cal Clutterbuck</span> sounds like he’s been drinking from the Lou “Emotion? What iz it, zis ‘emotion’?” well: “There is no expectation. So the prediction, looking ahead, we find that to be counterintuitive and counterproductive.” [<a href="https://nypost.com/2019/04/14/it-is-time-to-start-treating-the-islanders-for-what-they-are/?utm_source=twitter_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons">Post</a>]</li>
<li id="WWl06V">PSA: <span>Robin Lehner</span> has been absolutely fiiiiine. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/lehner-looking-sharp-in-first-playoff-starts/c-306734682">Isles</a>]</li>
<li id="4P09SK">You, Islanders fan, are instructed that you can dare to dream. [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/columnists/neil-best/islanders-penguins-nhl-playoffs-1.29844877">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="WRJBzk">Team notes: <span>Scott Mayfield</span> got a maintenance day, and the Isles are suddenly among the top half of teams with odds on a Cup win. [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/hockey/islanders/scott-mayfield-isles-stanley-cup-betting-odds-1.29844815">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="9CANRX">What’s it like to coach in the playoffs? Barry Trotz and Peter Laviolette, among others, share their experiences. Turn the page from game to game is a big lesson. [<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F902066%2F2019%2F04%2F15%2Fwhats-it-like-coaching-in-the-nhl-playoffs-the-games-best-answer%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F16%2F18343838%2Fislanders-news-penguins-playoffs-bridgeport" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Athletic</a>]</li>
<li id="CkCt0A">Prospect Report: <span>Noah Dobson</span>, <span>Arnaud Durandeau</span>, <span>Bode Wilde</span> and <span>Ilya Sorokin</span> are all still in the postseason. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/islanders/news/islanders-prospect-report-april-15-2019/c-306777088">Isles</a>]</li>
<li id="kZcyix">The AHL playoff schedule is set, and the Sound Tigers are preparing for Hershey on Friday. [<a href="https://blog.ctnews.com/fornabaio/2019/04/15/playoff-practice-monday-notes/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter">Soundin’ Off</a>] But they’re not disclosing their lineup just yet. [<a href="https://www.ctpost.com/soundtigers/article/Sound-Tigers-not-tipping-playoff-lineup-13769534.php">CT Post</a>]</li>
<li id="DGX7ry">I guess Mike Tirico will call his first NHL playoff game in Game 4. Alas, if Pierre McGuire is there I won’t hear Mike. (“MIKE. YOU’VE ANNOUNCED AT A HIGH LEVEL. SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE POINT I’M ABOUT TO MAKE. BECAUSE WE ARE BOTH ELITE, YOU SEE? I CONDESCENDED TO AJ THE OTHER DAY AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE SHE...”) [<a href="https://www.newsday.com/sports/media/mike-tirico-isles-penguins-nhl-nbc-1.29818705">Newsday</a>]</li>
<li id="c2tJUe">Assuming they lose, will the Penguins finally break up their core of Cup-winning stars who nonetheless must be crucified because short-term memory? [<a href="https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/ron-cook/2019/04/15/islanders-penguins-game-4-preview-sidney-crosby-evgeni-malkin-phil-kessel/stories/201904160012?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter_PGSportsNow">Post-Gazette</a>]</li>
</ul>
<h4 id="AR0dn0">Elsewhere</h4>
<p id="C8mx44">The <a href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/">Predators</a> pulled ahead<a href="https://www.ontheforecheck.com/2019/4/16/18330726/nashville-predators-3-dallas-stars-2-recap-pekka-rinne-shines-as-nashville-takes-the-series-lead"> 2-1 in their series </a>with the <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a>, thanks in part to <span>Ben Bishop</span> playing awfully. The <a href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Capitals</a> were destroyed by the <a href="https://www.canescountry.com/">Hurricanes</a>. Also, <span>Alex Ovechkin</span> fought Andrei Svechkinov and it ended badly for the rookie:</p>
<div id="StBZHM">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alexander Ovechkin and Andrei Svechnikov got in a pretty nasty fight on the ice <br><br> <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSCapitals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBCSCapitals</a> <a href="https://t.co/UwMpzcWOt9">pic.twitter.com/UwMpzcWOt9</a></p>— SB Nation (@SBNation) <a href="https://twitter.com/SBNation/status/1117943703291613184?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2019</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<ul>
<li id="aRNj3z">The <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Avalanche</a> steamrolled the <a href="https://www.matchsticksandgasoline.com/">Flames</a> and <span>Cale Makar</span>, fresh off a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-frozen-four">Frozen Four</a> national championship appearance, scored his first NHL goal in front of his parents. [<a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/2019/4/15/18339884/cale-makar-first-nhl-goal-colorado-avalanche-2019-nhl-playoffs-calgary-flames-makar-makes-it-3-0?_ga=2.92628894.2062467000.1555363521-370427558.1529040143">MHH</a>]</li>
<li id="RQV1NM">It was a crazy 72 hours to get Makar represented, signed, over the border and back to make his NHL debut. [<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F926487%2F2019%2F04%2F15%2Ffrom-ncaa-championship-to-nhl-playoffs-an-inside-look-at-cale-makars-last-72-hours%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F16%2F18343838%2Fislanders-news-penguins-playoffs-bridgeport" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Athletic</a>]</li>
<li id="sPXcFE">The Leafs won to take the lead back in their series with the <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>, so in true form the narrative switches back to “Toronto is doing everything right!” [<a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F926942%2F2019%2F04%2F15%2Flebrun-how-the-leafs-have-the-bruins-chasing-the-game-and-now-the-series%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F16%2F18343838%2Fislanders-news-penguins-playoffs-bridgeport" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Athletic</a>]</li>
<li id="VdRKae">That’s despite <span>Nazem Kadri</span> being suspended for the rest of the first round. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/nazem-kadri-suspended-remainder-of-maple-leafs-bruins-series/c-306788426">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="AqL4T8">
<span>Joe Thornton</span> got a one-game suspension. [<a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/sharks-thornton-suspended-for-game-4-vs-golden-knights/c-306789086">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="TxwQlK">The <a href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/">Blue Jackets</a> are also on the verge of a sweep, a shocking one, with Bob doing his thing. [<a href="https://www.jacketscannon.com/2019/4/15/18311476/sergei-bobrovsky-columbus-blue-jackets-tampa-bay-lightning-first-round-playoffs?_ga=2.259952521.2062467000.1555363521-370427558.1529040143">Cannon</a>]</li>
<li id="ibL7cF">Meanwhile, Alain Vigneault is the new <a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/">Flyers</a> coach. [<a href="https://www.broadstreethockey.com/2019/4/15/18311900/philadelphia-flyers-name-alain-vigneault-head-coach-stanley-cup-chuck-fletcher">BSH</a> | <a href="https://www.nhl.com/news/alain-vigneault-named-coach-of-philadelphia-flyers/c-306783318">NHL</a>]</li>
<li id="oTa9Wg">And at the Women’s World Championship, here’s how the IIHF explained that controversial overturning of Finland’s OT goal in the gold medal game. (The U.S. later won gold via shootout.) Personally I felt like it was the right, and tough, call, but I don’t understand how they make that call if they are saying the U.S. goalie committed a tripping penalty on the player who interfered with her. [<a href="https://www.iihf.com/en/events/2019/ww/news/10167/statement-from-iihf">IIHF</a>]</li>
</ul>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/16/18343838/islanders-news-penguins-playoffs-bridgeportDominik2019-04-15T18:35:46-04:002019-04-15T18:35:46-04:00How the Islanders have Frustrated Pittsburgh to the Verge of a Sweep
<figure>
<img alt="Buffalo Sabres v New York Islanders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/BBPEQOBntZsWuGc-AFkvaRpvzig=/0x113:2677x1898/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63418935/1139380138.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“Everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.” | Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The fall of the Penguins? It starts with Barry Trotz, of course.</p> <p id="TbxhvH">Viewed a certain way, and because it’s hockey, the <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> could easily be trailing their first-round series 2-1 or even 3-0 to the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>.</p>
<p id="rEOjqO">Game 1 was <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/10/18305493/islanders-penguins-playoffs-overtime-bailey-barzal">decided in overtime</a>, Game 2 was tied <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/12/18308678/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-playoffs-eberle-winner">until midway through the third period</a>, and Game 3 was...well okay it would’ve been hard for the Penguins to win Game 3. But The Penguins <em>were</em> just a goal behind midway through the third, so things <em>could’ve</em> changed. Or maybe if <span>Jordan Eberle</span> <em>doesn’t</em> snipe the return-address label corner right after the Penguins got their only lead...</p>
<p id="b2AQ7h">But putting aside “well but if this, then maybe” conditionals, and avoiding the tendency to act like a 3-0 series lead after three close games means nothing but absolute domination, here are the chief factors in why Barry Trotz’s men have carved out advantages to be on the verge of a humiliating end to the Penguins on Tuesday night.</p>
<h4 id="im1Dor">1) <span>Jordan Eberle</span> is not the Jordan Eberle the <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> Ran Out of Town</h4>
<p id="AQSRXr">Trotz split up the 2017-18 dynamic duo of Jordan Eberle and <span>Mathew Barzal</span> early in his first season behind the Islanders bench, depressing both of their offensive numbers, but clearly with a larger purpose: to get last season’s first-semester-at-college freedom under <span>Doug Weight</span> out of their game, so that they could become more reliable decision-makers no matter which teammates they played with. (More on this central tenet later.)</p>
<p id="zi4OO7">Then, as if he’d sent them to a year of finishing school and was ready to see what they learned, he reunited them in the final weeks of the season, the better to capture their offensive magic while making them reliable cogs in his diabolical machine. </p>
<p id="u5R1Xc">The result? Eberle scored a quarter of his regular season goals since that reunion, and has scored in each game so far in the series with the Penguins.</p>
<p id="IGCD8s">As Arthur Staple quoted <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheathletic.com%2F922242%2F2019%2F04%2F13%2Fas-jordan-eberle-battles-his-playoff-demons-islanders-keep-beating-the-penguins-at-their-own-skilled-game%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lighthousehockey.com%2F2019%2F4%2F15%2F18312192%2Fpittsburgh-penguins-new-york-islanders-playoffs-barry-trotz" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Barzal in the weekend piece at The Athletic</a>: “When Barry put us back with each other, we basically said, ‘We’re going to force him to trust us,’” Barzal said. “We tried to make it so he couldn’t break us up. What we did last year was great, but it’s a new system and we had to play different.”</p>
<p id="07LouD">Quite clearly, Barzal’s creativity helps unlocks Eberle, and Eberle has an ample supply of magic in his own right that allows Barzal an outlet. Now at the most important time of year, that creativity has been unleashed without sacrificing defensive reliability.</p>
<p id="VkNeX5">So Eberle’s first goal got things started in Game 1, followed by his power play assist to <span>Brock Nelson</span>. His dancing dash goal was the winner in Game 2, and his unreal sharp-angle shot — he called it, waving to <span>Ryan Pulock</span> for a pass to the goal line — tied the game and kept the Penguins from feeling good about themselves in Game 3.</p>
<p id="60sGZW">As Noel and Dan P. discussed <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/15/18311590/isles-buzz-everything-is-coming-up-milhouse-islanders-look-to-sweep-penguins">in their post-Game 3 Isles Buzz</a>, you don’t try that shot unless you have the confidence from being able to hit it more often than not. Eberle has that.</p>
<p id="9aq2Aw">The Islanders don’t have many superior offensive talents, but Eberle is one. And instead of putting him in position to be the scapegoat as Edmonton did, they’ve positioned him to succeed. He’s delivering.</p>
<h4 id="fpszyV">2) The Power Play has...Contributed?(!)</h4>
<p id="g2ktiO">This point is more about special teams overall, but especially the power play: It’s not like the Islanders are riding a hot streak with the extra man, but for the first time all spring it is not actively hurting them. </p>
<p id="SK3TJC">I was a bit flippant but honest before the playoffs in suspecting that the power play would ultimately be their undoing. (And I still fear that will be what eventually does them in.) In the final week of the regular season, the Islanders had returned to form in being able to frustrate and outplay teams at 5-on-5, but without any help from the power play they’d be playing with fire.</p>
<p id="GI53zi">Yet the power play has done just enough so far, starting with Eberle’s setup of <span>Brock Nelson</span> in Game 1 and Bailey’s insurance goal to ease the pressure late in Game 2. Meanwhile, the penalty kill has only conceded once, and their 5-on-5 play has been strong enough to make the Penguins do more of the penalty taking.</p>
<p id="eXt6j3">(To underline hockey’s thin margin of error, the power play could have hurt them in Game 3: They called a gutsy timeout to plot strategy for a 5-on-3 — a move that almost paid off and almost backfired at the same time. The set play Scott Gomez encouraged them to try produced a bomb from Ryan Pulock that <span>Matt Murray</span> got just enough of to deflect harmlessly off the crossbar. Then they had to kill an ensuing Penguins power play that could have tied it and swung the proverbial momentum.)</p>
<h4 id="GKiyKM">3) <span>Robin Lehner</span> has been Healthy, Peak <span>Lehner</span>
</h4>
<p id="7eHDWH">The only time <span>Robin Lehner</span> has been a question mark all season was in the opening few games when he and the team were still getting used to how the Islanders would play, and when returning from brief injuries.</p>
<p id="41fknS">Otherwise, he’s been lights out, and that has continued (along with his health) in the playoffs. I don’t really have to cite stats to tell you he’s been good (Murray has been good, too, frankly).</p>
<p id="e6kiSQ">An injury could change that, of course, and it equally goes without saying that in the playoffs you need outstanding goaltending, but still: Lehner has delivered that.</p>
<p id="OELrNk">In part, that is because...</p>
<h4 id="QfwgHO">4) Tao of Trotz is in Full Effect</h4>
<p id="5zC0jB">The Islanders are getting balanced scoring and solid defense. Their approach is frustrating. They haven’t been drawn into emotional outbursts to put them in the penalty box. Meanwhile, the Penguins look lost, out of ideas. Pittsburgh’s stars are getting chances, but not at the high volume to really increase their chances of breaking out.</p>
<p id="kPyQJk">None of this happens without the whole roster buying into Trotz’s work ethic, full-team buy-in and predictable (to each other) approach.</p>
<p id="8LCZ0F">It at times looks boring for its lack of chaos, but man is it a sight to behold: A diligent pursuit of the high-probability opportunities, with a disciplined restraint to not chase longshot chances that break down their structure. (It’s not ‘90s-era clutch-grab-bearhug hockey either: They’ve had to do all this without the obstruction era’s gifts to less talented teams.)</p>
<p id="y26T1p">That’s why <span>Sidney Crosby</span>, despite getting some good chances, is scoreless and a minus, and why <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> has scored but otherwise been most noticeable as a petulant loser at the end of Game 2.</p>
<p id="xOEIeE">Trotz discussed it between Games 3 and 4:</p>
<blockquote><p id="bxhvDt">“I can tell you this: Our focus has always been on the process. One game at a time, one shift at a time. Just play the way we’ve played. We haven’t had to make a lot of adjustments in our game the last 10 games. We believe in what we’re doing. Today we met and fixed a couple of things we feel we can be stronger at, and hopefully that pays dividends [in Game 4].”</p></blockquote>
<p id="zbiGZm">You hear it from the Islanders players and you see it in their decision-making on every forecheck, every backcheck, every breakout support, every neutral zone communication, and every post-whistle scrum. </p>
<p id="PcMO5v">Game 1 saw some rush opportunities for the Penguins...then Game 2 saw the Islanders repeatedly disrupting the Penguins cross-ice pass attempts to gather speed through the neutral zone. The end of Game 2 saw <span>Malkin</span>, <span>Crosby</span>, <span>Phil Kessel</span> having fits. Game 3 included <span>Patric Hornqvist</span> taking absurd swipes at <span>Adam Pelech</span> in the corner — after first boarding him — while Pelech wisely stayed calm and headlocked as a response rather than throw punches for the refs to misinterpret.</p>
<p id="jtAMCH">As a result, the Pittsburgh team (to use a Butchism) was an opponent almost defeating itself over the second half of Game 3, egged on by Eberle and Brock Nelson’s quick-strikes erasing the Penguins’ brief lead, and the Islanders’ disciplined approach with the lead then sucking the life out of the building.</p>
<p id="f803xI">Not only have the Isles prevented the Penguins from mounting sustained attacks, but they’ve tightened the grip game by game:</p>
<blockquote><p id="0Mg54t">“There’s a lot of trust in our game. Wee keep adjusting a little bit — not changing our game, just making subtle adjustments. The more you play a team the more you understand them. So anything they throw a little different at you the first time, it takes a game or two to understand their game. Once you understand their game you’re able to lock down certain areas and make small adjustments that help you take away some of the opportunities they create.” </p></blockquote>
<p id="FHT1gT">(See Trotz’s full media availability from Monday in the embedded Isles tweet below.)</p>
<p id="ZzBpNt">There’s no telling whether the Islanders will be able to repeat this against a new opponent if they reach the second round, and surely a loss in one or both of the first two games exacerbates their thin margin of error. </p>
<p id="B8fN0u">But right now they have a skilled and well-coached team on the brink and questioning itself. It’s been beautiful, and leaves every Islanders fan wearing that familiar Trotzian smile.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">"There's a lot of trust in our game. We keep making subtle adjustments that help you take away some of the opportunities that they do great. We're going to have our hands full as we have every game."<br><br>Barry Trotz addresses the media following today's practice in Pittsburgh: <a href="https://t.co/jnwcAnYBXj">pic.twitter.com/jnwcAnYBXj</a></p>— x - New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1117881149366386691?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 15, 2019</a>
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https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/15/18312192/pittsburgh-penguins-new-york-islanders-playoffs-barry-trotzDominik2019-04-14T15:23:34-04:002019-04-14T15:23:34-04:00Islanders 4, Penguins 1 (EN): Isles take 3-0 series lead
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<img alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-New York Islanders at Pittsburgh Penguins" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cKogwiE16Qbks_zJ3UUn747LQJU=/0x8:1688x1133/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63407799/usa_today_12532734.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>These two. | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jordan Eberle, Brock Nelson, Leo Komarov, and Anders Lee each scored to give the New York Islanders a four-goal comeback win in Pittsburgh. </p> <p id="LBLsLs">The <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> continue to frustrate the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a>, keeping their big guns off the scoreboard while getting contributions from red-hot <span>Jordan Eberle</span> and <span>Brock Nelson</span>. Even the oft maligned <span>Leo Komarov</span> got in on the action, scoring a the much-needed insurance goal to make it 3-1 in the third, and <span>Anders Lee</span> sealed the victory with the 4-1 empty netter. </p>
<p id="k8xsVH">That win at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh has given the Islanders a 3-0 lead in the series, putting them just one win away from advancing to the second round. </p>
<p id="AzjzMk">[<a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/GS030143.HTM">Game Sum</a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/ES030143.HTM">Event Sum</a> | <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20182019&game=30143&view=limited">Natural Stat Trick</a> | <a href="https://hockeyviz.com/game/2018030143">HockeyViz</a>]</p>
<h4 id="uLCssr">First Period</h4>
<p id="4RWKlq">There were chances traded on both sides to start, but the first goal would take place just after the Islanders finished killing an <span>Adam Pelech</span> hooking penalty. <span>Garrett Wilson</span> deflected a shot from the point past <span>Robin Lehner</span>, firing up the Pittsburgh home crowd that was desperate to hype up their team the way the Coliseum crowd got the Islanders going. </p>
<p id="OgpzDj">Unfortunately, their party would be cut short, as <span>Jordan Eberle</span> tied the game under a minute later. <span>Ryan Pulock</span> made a great pass to pick out an open Eberle, who found a space to shoot the puck past <span>Matt Murray</span>. </p>
<div id="GFADrc"><div style="max-width: 1280px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 57.4086%;"><iframe src="https://www.nhl.com/video/embed/eberles-sharp-angle-tally/t-306624204/c-67722503?autostart=false" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="sGsP1p">A minute and two seconds after that, <span>Brock Nelson</span> forced a turnover from <span>Sidney Crosby</span>, and then got the puck to <span>Tom Kuhnhackl</span> who sprung Nelson and <span>Josh Bailey</span> on a 2 on 1 as <span>Justin Schultz</span> got caught on a bad pinch. <span>Bailey</span> provided just enough of a decoy to allow Nelson to wrist it past <span>Murray</span>, giving the Islanders a 2-1 lead and shifting the momentum in the game. </p>
<div id="RiDgBu"><div style="max-width: 1280px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 57.4086%;"><iframe src="https://www.nhl.com/video/embed/nelson-scores-on-the-rush/t-306624204/c-67722603?autostart=false" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="S0KJq2"><span>Lehner</span> made some huge saves on <span>Patric Hornqvist</span> and <span>Jake Guentzel</span>, and the Penguins nearly tied the game when Adam Pelech turned over the puck and let the Pens get a 3 on 1 opportunity. <span>Dominik Simon</span> couldn’t get a handle on the puck with a wide open net, and the Islanders held on to their lead.</p>
<h4 id="eSyWDr">Second Period</h4>
<p id="mnJYKl">There were some big chances for the Islanders in the second, with Mat Barzal setting up <span>Anthony Beauvillier</span> on a 2 on 1, but Beauvillier shot the puck high. Bailey got the puck to Nelson but he mishandled the puck, and it felt like those chances might come back to bite the Isles later. </p>
<p id="5yXcvW"><span>Valtteri Filppula</span> was called for hooking, but <span>Lehner</span> was huge on the penalty kill. Then, the Islanders headed to their own power play which became a 5 on 3 once <span>Jack Johnson</span> was sent off for holding, but the only good look of the two man advantage was a Ryan Pulock shot that Murray got a shoulder on that sent it off the post. Barzal was called for tripping and Lehner was again a big factor on the PK. </p>
<h4 id="CjOsqI">Third Period</h4>
<p id="VB36xs">A great shift from the best fourth line in hockey nearly resulted in a goal as a Cizikas shot was saved by Murray. Then, the Islanders finally got the insurance goal they desperately needed, as <span>Leo Komarov</span> got the puck from Beauvillier and scored. Filppula made a heads up cross-ice pass that Beau tipped to slow down perfectly for <span>Komarov</span>. </p>
<div id="X6atMZ"><div style="max-width: 1280px;"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 57.4086%;"><iframe src="https://www.nhl.com/video/embed/komarovs-short-side-tally/t-306624204/c-67724503?autostart=false" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media"></iframe></div></div></div>
<p id="8hOPek"><span>Matt Martin</span> almost got the puck to Cizikas off a Murray turnover behind the net, but <span>Marcus Pettersson</span> made a good defensive play to keep the Pens in it. <span>Hornqvist</span> boarded Pelech and then threw a punch to his face, but both players were sent off for roughing and holding respectively. </p>
<p id="g6K1z9">The Penguins pulled <span>Matt Murray</span> with just over three minutes to go, and <span>Anders Lee</span> was able to lift the puck out of the Isles’ defensive zone and into the empty net, sealing a 4-1 victory and a 3-0 series lead. And, breathe. </p>
<h4 id="NYhcTG">Up Next</h4>
<p id="J4A4bR">Next, another game in Pittsburgh on Tuesday. For the Penguins: a loss will end their season much earlier than they anticipated. For the Islanders: a win means sweeping a long-time rival and advancing to the second round. No pressure. </p>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/14/18310488/islanders-4-penguins-1-eberle-nelson-komarov-lee-wilson-nhl-playoffs-game-3Jenny Berman2019-04-12T22:43:32-04:002019-04-12T22:43:32-04:00Islanders Frustrate Penguins, Take 2-0 series Lead with 3-1 Game 2 Win
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<img alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kc5jKlCyCYRz71GAamUl-vUnu4c=/0x0:4208x2805/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63403104/usa_today_12522822.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>“Heeeeeeeeeey, Anthony Beauvillier...” (No? Doesn’t have the same ring?) | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Penguins struck first, but Eberle and Bailey strike, and laugh, last.</p> <p id="moUp2R">The <a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/">New York Islanders</a> built off their Game 1 win to frustrate the <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Pittsburgh Penguins</a> on their way to a 3-1 victory in Game 2 at Nassau Coliseum. <span>Sidney Crosby</span> was again held off the scoreboard (credit to many, including Adam Pelech), though he and an increasingly frustrated <span>Evgeni Malkin</span> each appeared on the score <em>sheet</em> with three minor penalties between them.</p>
<p id="HpkPAT">The result puts the Penguins behind 0-2 in a playoff series for the first time since 2013 — the last year these two teams met in the postseason — and puts the perennially “split the first two” Isles up 2-0 in a series for the first time since the dynasty. It also obscures an outstanding performance by <span>Matt Murray</span>, who was key to the game remaining scoreless in the first half.</p>
<p id="i5RwaQ">Period by period: The Islanders had the better of the first, sagged a bit at the end of the second after conceding and then tying the game at 1-1, then pulled away halfway through the third on a <span>Jordan Eberle</span> highlight goal and a very timely <span>Josh Bailey</span> power play insurance marker.</p>
<p id="L4IEK9">The final minutes of regulation were just a good ol’ fashioned Coliseum party, with the raucous crowd gobbling up all the air seeping out of the deflated Pens.</p>
<p id="d9PZNN">[<a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/GS030142.HTM"><strong>Game Sum</strong></a> | <a href="http://www.nhl.com/scores/htmlreports/20182019/ES030142.HTM"><strong>Event Sum</strong></a> | <a href="https://www.naturalstattrick.com/game.php?season=20182019&game=30142&view=limited"><strong>Natural Stat Trick</strong></a> | <a href="https://hockeyviz.com/game/2018030142"><strong>HockeyViz</strong></a>]</p>
<h4 id="HlZ5Mm">First Period: Murray a Wall</h4>
<p id="McKFKi"><span>Jake Guentzel</span> and <span>Cal Clutterbuck</span> are crosschecking each other before the opening faceoff is dropped. Playoffs.</p>
<p id="K35IQ9">This one started off nasty and stayed that way. Tempers flaring all over.</p>
<p id="R039eG">The Islanders played a very strong period, sticking to their structure, making few mistakes, and quickly covering for open gaps. They were also doing a great job intercepting the Penguins’ horizontal passes in the neutral zone.</p>
<p id="UGnZYP"><span>Robin Lehner</span> was really solid, but <span>Matt Murray</span> faced even more dangerous tests, and turned them all away, making it a stinger to reach the first intermission still scoreless.</p>
<h4 id="L6zIAS">Project: Mess with <span>Malkin</span>
</h4>
<p id="SLnKHS"><span>Evgeni Malkin</span> is going to have a tough series if he can’t control his tendency to do stupid things when irritated. Tonight they didn’t even have to try to get under his skin before he got in a foolish mood. </p>
<p id="SmDLew">He didn’t need to hook <span>Devon Toews</span> in pursuit of a dump-in, but he did, was immediately whistled, then immediately barked at the ref that his stick was held. Toews <em>might</em> have clutched...but even if so, it was only after <span>Malkin</span> planted his hook in Toews’ midsection. Easy call.</p>
<p id="lVF8f4">The Islanders power play worked the puck well but couldn’t get any truly dangerous shots through.</p>
<p id="z5NRLQ">After his penalty expired, Malkin got into it with <span>Leo Komarov</span>, as did <span>Patric Hornqvist</span> at the same time. Probably should have thrown <span>Hornqvist</span> off along with Malkin and <span>Komarov</span>, but that would not create the desired 4-on-4 result that the scales-balancing officials occasionally like to practice.</p>
<p id="8d8Y0n"><strong>A Series of Power Play Events</strong></p>
<p id="8iIydk">On the 4-on-4, the Isles hit the post on a Toews shot, and a <span>Josh Bailey</span> interception set up <span>Brock Nelson</span> for an uncontested slapper that Murray stopped.</p>
<p id="mhxeTD">A Game 1 scratch after playing all 82 regular season games, Jack Johnson made his presence felt by high sticking <span>Tom Kuhnhackl</span> as he felt pressure on the way back for a puck retrieval, creating the second Isles power play of the night. </p>
<p id="HedGqe">They got a nice early chance after <span>Teddy Blueger</span>, who runs some side action out of his uncle’s pizza joint, breaks his stick on the ensuing faceoff. <span>Matt Murray</span> shut the door and froze the puck, however, as he did on the next chance.</p>
<p id="h8sIkq">The Penguins killed that one, then Johnson promptly blindsided <span>Adam Pelech</span> away from the puck at the blueline. Johnson was rushing from the box to the bench after avoiding <span>Johnny Boychuk</span>, and he very well may not have seen Pelech until it was too late. But the refs just about had to call it, and did so...</p>
<p id="O9wuUs">...And you knew they’d take the first opportunity to even it up, and did so when <span>Anders Lee</span> hooked <span>Erik Gudbranson</span> on their way to the end boards. That didn’t come until after the Isles had a minute of power play, again with decent puck work, but no results.</p>
<p id="CRNt0U">That 4-on-4 was less eventful — though Barzal had a couple of close approaches with Bailey — but once the Penguins got set up on their minute of power play, things were a little scary. </p>
<p id="CGqTCD">With his penalty killed, <span>Lee</span> went Barzal Mode and streaked down the wing turning Gudbranson inside out. But Murray got a piece of the shot with his glove and shoulder, and the outside of the post did the rest. Prior to that, <span>Nick Leddy</span> also had an amazing rush, requiring Murray to stretch for another strong save.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APRIL12?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APRIL12</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PITvsNYI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PITvsNYI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GM2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GM2</a> 1st period<br>Leddy chance .. Murray gets the pad out <a href="https://t.co/oE34pYTJN1">pic.twitter.com/oE34pYTJN1</a></p>— John Smith (@ThisIsMyReplay) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsMyReplay/status/1116858891655155712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<div id="ixVxGW">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/APRIL12?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#APRIL12</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PITvsNYI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PITvsNYI</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GM2?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GM2</a> 1st period<br>Barzal to Lee chance ... <a href="https://t.co/OBHhvIMwPk">pic.twitter.com/OBHhvIMwPk</a></p>— John Smith (@ThisIsMyReplay) <a href="https://twitter.com/ThisIsMyReplay/status/1116859686974840833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PITvsNYI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PITvsNYI</a> Game 2 5v5 Score Adjusted Metrics via <a href="https://twitter.com/NatStatTrick?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NatStatTrick</a><br><br>First Period<br><br>Pens 54.15% Attempts<br>Isles 60.20% Scoring Chances<br>Isles 72.47% High Danger Chances<br>Isles 52.69% Expected Goals<br><br>Between the above and the PPs, tough period to leave scoreless. <a href="https://t.co/3YCka9kXP7">pic.twitter.com/3YCka9kXP7</a></p>— Carey Haber (@habermetrics) <a href="https://twitter.com/habermetrics/status/1116860720564637696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<h4 id="GJnKk1">Second Period: Somehow, more intense. Also: goals.</h4>
<p id="XpkKRy">The crowd followed Barry Trotz’s post-Game 1 instructions, and did not let up a bit in the second period. By morning all of their voices must sound like Barry Trotz during an in-game interview.</p>
<p id="Sgg0js">In the opening minute, <span>Matt Cullen</span> had a clean look but was robbed by <span>Lehner</span> with what is quickly becoming his trademark stretch across the crease.</p>
<div id="6KPdK9">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Toe save by <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinLehner?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RobinLehner</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/StanleyCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#StanleyCup</a> <a href="https://t.co/pLfbbJpc0V">pic.twitter.com/pLfbbJpc0V</a></p>— NHL GIFs (@NHLGIFs) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLGIFs/status/1116865731986169857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="B03LKR">Then the Islanders power play received two more chances in quick succession, but came up empty again. <span>Sidney Crosby</span> was called for hooking, then Gudbranson for high-sticking, creating a 0:54 five-on-three. Murray again shined, blocking Bailey at the doorstep, Lee with his in-tight high backhand attempt, and Pulock on a one-timer set up by <span>Jordan Eberle</span>.</p>
<p id="xl4rpQ">But the Penguins finally struck first, on a nice entry by Malkin, with Gudbranson’s shot deflecting off both <span>Komarov</span> and <span>Leddy</span>’s stick before passing through a <span>Hornqvist</span> screen.</p>
<p id="SEj8iZ">Their lead didn’t last long though, as <span>Anthony Beauvillier</span> equalized on a rebound after a great rush with Barzal, who ended up in the penalty box after the goal. </p>
<div id="C5k61n">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NYIslanders</a> answer immediately and the Barn is ALIVE!<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PITvsNYI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PITvsNYI</a> here: <a href="https://t.co/71R36CO138">https://t.co/71R36CO138</a> <a href="https://t.co/pP3PXtqAzw">pic.twitter.com/pP3PXtqAzw</a></p>— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLonNBCSports/status/1116870417753489408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="U7qFe2">After the puck went in and with Beauvillier celebrating with Eberle and Toews on one side, a full scrum ensued in the corner. </p>
<div id="Pq9CNR">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">When mom tells you the pizza rolls are ready... <a href="https://t.co/L5V7qrHn2l">pic.twitter.com/L5V7qrHn2l</a></p>— x - New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1116871280253382656?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="4iS9hU"><span>Marcus Pettersson</span> and Barzal tussled, then Eberle and <span>Hornqvist</span>, Gudbranson and Mayfield. At one point it was three Penguins on Barzal in the scrum, yet somehow the Islanders received the extra minor on the play. Really don’t know how they arrived at that other than to chip away at the lopsided penalty ledger. </p>
<p id="RMS4JN">(Even with my complaints, the Penguins are going to feel aggrieved about the penalty ledger in this game, and not without reason, given the random rulebook enforcement that takes place.)</p>
<p id="mW5v1r">So it was 1-1, with the Penguins going right on the power play. The Islanders survived. The rest of the second was a little uncomfortable, with the Penguins generating more chances and sustained pressure, though <span>Lehner</span> and the collective defense did well to snuff out dangerous loose pucks.</p>
<h4 id="wpSn0B">Third Period: Eberle Magic + Power Play Goal (?!) = Party Time</h4>
<p id="MhPwdh">Mike Sullivan mixed up his Malkin and <span>Crosby</span> and Kessel linemates a bit to start the third. None of that really alters the feeling of sheer terror I have when either is on the ice. They all seem to know how to play with those three stars, it’s just a matter of when it’s their night. Or period.</p>
<p id="E4RYjw">Indeed, <span>Crosby</span> had a teeth-chattering chance picking up a loose puck through the slot, and going wide around Lehner, but his pass up through the slot found no one. Soon after, Josh Bailey was point blank on Murray but the Penguins goalie made yet another massive stop.</p>
<p id="px1oDU">Meanwhile, the boiling bad blood seemed to at least simmer down a little bit. Both sides were still looking for hits, but not with the same verve nor energy-wasting extra jawing afterward. <span>Garrett Wilson</span> was notably running around wherever he could, but he’s not as good at this as the Islanders fourth liners are.</p>
<p id="TBSgnj">And then...a breakthrough: Jordan Eberle’s hands have been magical through the first two games of this series, and he took a Barzal zone-entry handoff to the house, flashing back and forth before lifting a backhand past Murray off the far post. </p>
<p id="QPH1XF">It helped that <span>Justin Schultz</span> went on walkabout for what some <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/">Oilers</a> fans used to call “Jultzing.”</p>
<div id="zhtn8f">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Confirmed: <a href="https://twitter.com/jeberle_7?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jeberle_7</a> is in playoff mode. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> <a href="https://t.co/x5iGMFBKfX">pic.twitter.com/x5iGMFBKfX</a></p>— x - New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1116883152524513281?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="BN9Ydw">That made it 2-1 Isles with 12 minutes left in the third.</p>
<p id="0TFeuy">Leddy then had a nice exchange and one-timer hat was blocked, leading to a race with Hornqvist toward the Pens bench for the loose puck. Hornqvist being Hornqvist, he was a little too zealous and took a penalty. (<span>Wilson</span> chirped Leddy from the bench as he got up, which...yeah okay.)</p>
<p id="gYe4eB">The power play began a little nervously, a little too carefully, and the Penguins could’ve easily had a rush the other way. They never did, however, and eventually the Islanders got sorted.</p>
<p id="IcmC2d">Josh Bailey retrieved a deflected Toews shot and deposited a forehand through Murray. The Islanders power play, on its sixth try of the night, finally cashed in. 3-1 Isles with 8:22 to go. The “Heeeeeeyyyy, Josh Bailey! I wanna knoow-oooh-oh” song then rang out throughout the crowd, turned up to 11.</p>
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<p lang="tl" dir="ltr">HEEYY JOSH BAILEY! <br><br>PPG! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LGI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LGI</a> <a href="https://t.co/S1LjaQXMB5">pic.twitter.com/S1LjaQXMB5</a></p>— x - New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) <a href="https://twitter.com/NYIslanders/status/1116884885342437376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">The ever popular Josh Bailey song. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> lead 3-1 with 8:15 left in the game <a href="https://t.co/h1qWpV1dHJ">pic.twitter.com/h1qWpV1dHJ</a></p>— Christian Arnold (@C_Arnold01) <a href="https://twitter.com/C_Arnold01/status/1116884143009406976?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Two goals after they showed Shawn Bates and crowd chanted his name. So, I guess he's gotta come back for every <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Isles?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Isles</a> home playoff game rest of the way?</p>— Andrew Gross (@AGrossNewsday) <a href="https://twitter.com/AGrossNewsday/status/1116883468212940800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2019</a>
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<p id="k0pLHh">With seven minutes left, <span>Zach Aston-Reese</span> missed “a sitter” as they say on the pitch, at the back door on a great setup from Malkin, which would’ve brought the Penguins right back within one. Johnny Bocyhuk was on <span>Aston-Reese</span> but not as much as you’d like.</p>
<p id="u3eIoj">That was about as close as they got to making it scary again. Crosby had an open net look he somehow missed in the final minute, and there were some good low-to-high chances creating shots from the slot. The Penguins controlled the puck with the sixth attacker, but it was all too little, too late.</p>
<h4 id="bO0N4h">Project: Mess with Malkin Update: Malkin Messes with Himself</h4>
<p id="82mUJ2">In his typical fashion, Malkin used the final seconds to throw some stickwork, including a crosscheck to Mayfield’s back while he was engaged with another Penguin. <span>Brock Nelson</span> identified the situation and got Malkin going, basically matching Malkin crosscheck for crosscheck. Then Mayfield freed himself and got his own lick in, as he damn well should.</p>
<p id="oGbTxr">Malkin can be dangerous when he’s angry, but also wildly undisciplined. It’s fun watching him unravel.</p>
<p id="Gkv9n4">So he continued it after the buzzer, along with the rest of the Penguins, doing the little “I’m throwing jabs at your face but not really fighting because everyone knows you’re not supposed to fight superstars” dance. </p>
<p id="jqkZEd">The Isles called their bluffs.</p>
<p id="tFeN5V">They also head to Pittsburgh with a 2-0 series lead.</p>
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https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/12/18308678/new-york-islanders-pittsburgh-penguins-playoffs-eberle-winnerDominik2019-04-11T21:26:17-04:002019-04-11T21:26:17-04:00Isles Buzz: Game 1 recap
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<img alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Pittsburgh Penguins at New York Islanders" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1XVIkM7JmoadadeDT94PgfGxBE8=/0x0:2638x1759/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/63396749/usa_today_12511791.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>No Joshing around | Dennis Schneidler-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Isles look do to something they haven’t done since 1983</p> <p id="5UtWp9">Dan and Noel recap the thrilling overtime winner by the Islanders in Game 1 and preview what will be a wild Game 2 at the Coliseum.</p>
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<div id="IUGQWx"><iframe frameborder="no" src="https://playlist.megaphone.fm?p=VMP3248194988" width="100%" height="482"></iframe></div>
https://www.lighthousehockey.com/2019/4/11/18307151/isles-buzz-game-1-recap-islanders-beat-penguinsNoel Fogelman