2020 NHL Playoffs Today – How Far Can The New York Islanders Propel The Tampa Bay Lightning?

The Dallas Stars are in the Stanley Cup Final for the first time in 20 years … and they will have to wait a little longer to find out who they are playing with.

New York Islanders supported their season by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning in double overtime Game 5… I wish I could say this game was a thriller, but it felt more like a filler, especially with the third period and extra time going on.

But the Eastern Conference Finals will continue for at least one more game, and there is nothing wrong with that.

Watch the ESPN NHL Playoffs Today every day after the end of the season until the Stanley Cup in October.

More: What The Golden Knights Should Prioritize This Offseason To Get Better.

About last night …

New York Islanders 2, Tampa Bay Lightning 1 (2OT) (TB leads 3-2)

When the Islanders faced relegation, coach Barry Trotz went with 11 forwards and seven defenders and mixed his squad. “The lines were reshuffled” Jordan Eberly said. “I don’t even know if there were lines.” Although New York played a structured game, it did not generate much attack. The islanders fired just 24 shots in almost 90 minutes. It was a battle of will – in the first overtime, teams put together more blocked shots (52) than shots on goal (49). But in the end it was Eberle who scored the winning goal almost four hours in real time after the first puck fell.

Trots’ message to the team before the game: “Let’s have some fun. We’ve worked too hard. Let’s not regret. ” Lightning coach John Cooper loved the way his team played and thinks they will be fine if they continue to play that way. “I love our chances,” Cooper said. “We believe in what we do.” Full summary…

Question of the Day: How far can the islands push Lightning in this episode?

Since the conference playoff format was introduced in 1982, teams leading the conference finals 3-1 have won 97% of the time (34-1). History on the side of the lightning. But this is 2020, and not only can anything happen, but the islanders are like bubble cockroaches. Trots’ team simply won’t quit.

So now, instead of starting the Stanley Cup final on Thursday, we get Game 6 this match. To win, the islanders will once again seek out the products of their top stars. Don’t be surprised if Trotz continues to shuffle the lines. And if they could really succeed on the power play (the Isles played 1 out of 3 on Tuesday, but they had some gross human advantage issues), that could be a turning point.

If Lightning feels pressure, they won’t let it. “It all came down to one game,” said the Lightning defender. Victor Hedman said about the loss. “It’s hard for us. How you respond to this will define you as a team. We are not worried. “

Next on schedule …

Game 6: No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 7 New York Islanders (TB leads 3-2) | 8 pm ET, Thursday

Lightning missed its first chance to shut down the islanders. Will they be able to do it on Thursday? One thing to watch out for: Will Brayden pointwho missed the return of game 5 (as well as game 3)? “It’s too hard to tell right now,” Cooper said right after the fifth game.

The Islanders gained momentum after a discouraging double overtime win (in which they recorded just 24 shots) on Tuesday. “I think that having come to this [Edmonton] We were pretty much gassed, I’ll tell you right away, ”Trots said. “But I think as the series ended, we caught up with this area.”

Three stars

Jordan Eberly, F, New York Islanders

In the city where he played for his first seven seasons, Eberle scored arguably the biggest goal of his NHL career. (This would be the biggest goal of his hockey career, but his heroic moments in the Junior World Cup still hold a lot for Canadians.)

“He puts a lot of pressure on himself when he doesn’t score,” Trots said. “He has some pretty high expectations.”

Semyon Varlamov, G, New York Islanders

The Islanders goalkeeper saved 36 of 37 shots (0.973 shot percentage) to keep the Islanders on track. “I haven’t had the opportunity to play many playoff games in my NHL career,” Varlamov said. “I’m just happy to be here today and play this playoff. We are playing in the conference finals, this is a big deal for us, our fans on Long Island, everyone is watching and cheering for us. ” Also, he had the best celebration of the night (see below).

Victor Hedman, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Hedman scored his eighth playoff goal, with most defensive goals in a single playoff year since. Brian Leitch The Rangers scored 11 in 1994.

Quote of the Day

“He definitely earned the right to return as a coach.” – Star Grandmaster Jim Neill on his interim coach Rick Bowness. There is no doubt that Bowness, who is the oldest manager in the league at 65 and has over 30 years of coaching experience, landed a job at Stars the following season. The question is, will they offer him what he thinks is fair?

The smell of the day

Kevin Shattenkirk has been a real discovery for Lightning this season. After being bought out by the New York Rangers, Shattenkirk has rebuilt his career with a low-risk one-year deal with Tampa this season, and will have a decent market as a free agent this offseason. However, this was not his best moment. In double overtime, Shattenkirk played a shot from the point, and the islanders rushed to the winning goal. This is a game that he simply cannot play.

Social post of the day

Getting out of a bubble sometimes isn’t too bad, as Vegas Golden Knights defender said John Merrill I learned after the departure of my team:

Bubble moment of the day

New Yorkers, they won’t go home!