Islanders defeat Lightning 5-3, take 1-0 Round 2 series lead

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Shane Prince scored twice during a three-goal first period and John Tavares had a goal and an assist in New York's victory over Tampa Bay in Game 1 of the second-round playoff series.

Taking up where he left off in helping the Islanders advance beyond the first round for the first time in 23 years, Tavares assisted on Travis Hamonic's goal that erased an early deficit and scored his sixth postseason goal on a blistering shot from the left circle to give New York a 4-1 lead in the second.

The Islanders needed overtime to get three of four victories against the Florida Panthers in the opening round. This one was never seriously in doubt after New York wiped out the 1-0 lead Tampa Bay took on Ondrel Palat's goal just over three minutes into the game.

Tampa Bay pulled to 4-3 on third-period goals by Nikita Kucherov and Valtteri Filppula before Cal Clutterbuck's empty-netter sealed the victory in the final minute.

Thomas Greiss, who won one game in overtime and two in double overtime against Florida, finished with 33 saves for the Islanders. They were outshot 28-10 over the last two periods.

Game 2 is Saturday at Amalie Arena.

Tavares scores in overtime, Islanders oust Panthers

From the Islanders website.

The New York Islanders are going to the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Islanders beat the Panthers 2-1 in double-overtime on Sunday night, taking their Eastern Conference First Round series in six games and advancing to the second round for the first time since 1993.

In a fitting moment, John Tavares scored the game-tying and game-winning goals, the Islanders’ best player raising his game at the biggest time. He scored his first with 53.2 seconds to play in the third period and the winner, a wraparound, at 10:41 of the second overtime.

“It’s hard to even believe it’s over,” Tavares said of the marathon game and marathon series, which saw three games go to overtime and two to double-overtime. “It was hard fought, give Florida a ton of credit; it was a heck of a series. Every game was tight.”

The captain, who led the Islanders through their rebuild was the one to lead them through to the second round for first time in 23 years. Cal Clutterbuck said Sunday night was just as much for the fans as it was for the guys in the room.

“It’s just been a decade and a half of inconsistency and it’s good to be the team that allows people to enjoy the moment that gets over that hump,” Clutterbuck said. “For us to come together, we’re starting to realize our potential. So it’s exciting for people to see and it’s something to cheer about.”

Sunday’s game showcased the Islanders’ resiliency as a group as well as their maturity as a group. At times on Sunday night, it really felt like the hockey gods were teasing the Islanders, as they fell behind in the first period despite being the superior team and couldn’t beatRoberto Luongo, who was stopping pucks he couldn’t even see in the first 59 minutes.

“It we stop with a minute left today, we’re going back and playing game seven in Florida,” Clutterbuck said. “You just have to stick with it and keep pushing forward.”

The most gut-wrenching moment came when the Panthers had possession with the Islanders net empty. With Nick Leddy playing goalie with a minute to go, Aaron Ekblad sent a wrist shot on the fairly-empty net. Leddy blocked the game-sealer and took off down the other end. The smooth-skating defenseman carried the puck all the way to the Islanders goal line, backhanded a shot on Luongo and kicked off a chain of events around the net. Luongo blocked Leddy’s shot and thought he had Nikolay Kulemin’s rebound, but the puck squeaked through, sitting in the crease for John Tavares, who potted the tying goal with 53.2 seconds to play.

“In the last minute you just try to go to the net, get lost and lucky enough the puck just barely squirted under Luongo,” Tavares said. “I was happy being alone. Obviously couldn’t be any easier. Great play by Leds skating it in and Kule just going to the net. Just lucky I was the one that was there.”

But getting to overtime was really only half the battle. The extra frame was not for the faint of heart, with surges going back and forth. The Islanders peppered Luongo with 15 shots in the first OT, while Thomas Greiss stopped 13 of his 41 shots, with a host of different players all vying for the leather jacket. At one point it looked like Steve Bernier – a healthy scratch until Game 5 – would be the hero, at another, Alan Quine, the rookie callup. Tavares and Kyle Okposo each took a swing of their own, but through 20 minutes, neither team could find the finishing touch.

Exhaustion started to set in the second overtime. Tavares said he felt his legs cramping up in the dogpile and that if he hadn’t scored, taking Okposo’s rebound, circling the net and depositing the winner, he wasn’t sure if he could continue. But Sunday wasn’t about hypotheticals, it was about the Islanders coming together for their biggest win in over two decades and Tavares being the one to lead them.

“We went through the rebuilding stage with a young hockey club and went through some tough times, we knew eventually we’d get to this point,” Head Coach Jack Capuano said. “I can’t be more proud of the group that we have, led by our captain.”

Sunday was a step in the right direction for the Islanders. 1993 is now where it belongs, in the distant past. It’s about 2016 now and the push forward, starting this week vs. the Lightning.

Goodbye 1993, hello Tampa Bay.

Islanders defeat Panthers, take 3-2 series lead

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) Alan Quine's power-play goal at exactly 16 minutes of the second overtime gave the New York Islanders a 2-1 victory over the Florida Panthers early Saturday in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal series.

Thomas Greiss stopped 47 shots for the Islanders. They lead the series 3-2 and can wrap it up with a win in Game 6 in New York on Sunday.

Roberto Luongo made 40 saves for Florida, which missed a penalty shot in the first overtime and was whistled for two penalties in the second overtime. The game ended at 12:16 a.m.

The Islanders' second overtime power play came when Derek Mackenzie was called for slashing at 14:31, and that would be the break New York finally needed. Quine's blast from the right side beat Luongo, and the Islanders swarmed the ice in celebration.

Frans Nielsen scored in the first period for the Islanders, and Aleksander Barkov tied it early in the third for the Panthers. The Islanders' Calvin De Haan was called for closing his hand on the puck in the crease 7:19 into overtime, giving Barkov a chance to win it on a penalty shot - just the third in NHL playoff history. But his backhander was easily handled by Greiss

It was the seventh consecutive playoff overtime loss for Florida, a streak beginning with the final game of the 1996 Stanley Cup final against Colorado.

Pulock Out 1-2 Weeks

From the Islanders website.

Ryan Pulock

Ryan Pulock’s playoffs are currently being put on hold.

The rookie defenseman will be sidelined for 1-2 weeks with an upper-body injury, suffered in the third period of Wednesday’s 2-1 loss to the Panthers. His return to the lineup likely depends on whether or not the Islanders advance to the second round.

"He’ll probably be out for the rest of the series, don’t know how long. First indication was 1-2 weeks with upper body," Head Coach Jack Capuano said. “It’s just tough to lose another guy. He was really playing well for us as a young guy and really coming into his own.” 

Pulock had three points (1G, 2A) in four playoff games and earned a promotion to the Islanders’ top power-play unit in Game 4, where he assisted on a John Tavares goal.

Marek Zidlicky draws in for Pulock in Game 5. The 39-year-old defenseman has 44 career NHL playoff games under his belt.

Panthers defeat Islanders 2-1, series tied at 2

NEW YORK (AP) - Alex Petrovic scored the tiebreaking goal midway through the third period and the Florida Panthers beat the New York Islanders to even their first-round playoff series at two games apiece.

Teddy Purcell also scored for Florida, and Jaromir Jagr had an assist for his 200th career playoff point. Roberto Luongo stopped 26 shots.

John Tavares had his third goal of the series for New York, and Thomas Greiss finished with 27 saves.

The Panthers got their first playoff road win since April 17, 2012, against New Jersey in Game 3 of the first round.

Game 5 of the best-of-seven series is Friday night in Sunrise, Florida.

Islanders take 2-1 series lead with game three win over Panthers

NEW YORK (AP) Thomas Hickey scored 12:31 into overtime to give the New York Islandersa 4-3 victory over the Florida Panthers on Sunday night in Game 3 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.

Hickey scored on a one-timer off a pass from Brock Nelson from behind the net to lift the Islanders to a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. Game 4 is in Brooklyn on Wednesday night.

Ryan Pulock, Shane Prince and Frans Nielsen also scored for the Islanders in their first playoff game in Brooklyn. Thomas Greiss made 36 saves, and John Tavares and Kyle Okposo each had two assists.

Reilly Smith had a goal and two assists, and Aleksander Barkov and Nick Bjustad also scored for the Panthers. Smith has four goals and four assists in the series. Roberto Luongo stopped 35 shots.

Panthers defeat Islanders 3-1, series tied at 1

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - Roberto Luongo made 41 saves for his first playoff win in five years, and the Florida Panthers evened their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series by beating the New York Islanders.

Reilly Smith and Nick Bjugstad each had a goal and an assist for Florida, which salvaged a split in the series-opening back-to-back. Dmitry Kulikov added an empty-netter with 9.3 seconds left to clinch the win. Game 3 is in Brooklyn on Sunday.

John Tavares scored with 3:33 left for New York, and Thomas Greiss stopped 28 shots for the Islanders.

Islanders win first 2016 playoff game against Panthers 5-4

SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) - John Tavares had a goal and two assists, including one that set up Kyle Okposo's go-ahead goal early in the third period, and New York beat Florida Game 1 of the Eastern Conference series.

Thomas Greiss survived a shaky beginning and made 42 saves for the Islanders in his first playoff start, and Brock Nelson, Frans Nielsen and Ryan Strome added goals for New York.

Home-ice advantage in the series now belongs to the Islanders, and they can take a 2-0 lead back to Barclays Center if they prevail when the series resumes in a quick turnaround Friday night.

Reilly Smith had two goals, Jussi Jokinen had a goal and two assists and Teddy Purcell also scored for the Panthers. Roberto Luongo made 21 saves.

Isles Notes/Quote Book: Islanders prepare for Panthers

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Travis Harmonic practiced with the Islanders
on Tuesday morning in full-contact
equipment. (@NYIslanders)

The New York Islanders' 2016 playoff campaign begins on Thursday in the first game in a best-of-seven round one series against the Florida Panthers.

Already, some good news has been reported from the Islanders side of the series.

Defenseman Travis Hamonic is expected to play in game one of the series after being injured for quite some time, according to rumors.

Also, according to the rumor, Islanders starting goaltender Jaroslav Halak will miss the entire first round against the Panthers.

Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said he wants to think about if he'll play Hamonic in Thursday's game or not.

"He practiced today," Capuano said, "so tomorrow if he has a good day it's something we'll think about for Thursday."

Meanwhile, Hamonic is excited that his team is back in the playoffs for the second straight year.

"We're really confident in our group and we're excited about our chances," Hamonic said.
Islanders backup goaltender Thomas Greiss, who has been the team's main goaltender due to Halak's injury, is excited to be back in the playoffs.

"It's going to be exciting," Greiss said. "They're tight games, high energy. It's a fun time of year."

"This is where we want to be.," Islanders forward Matt Martin said. "This is what we've played for and we're excited to be here."

Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk, like Hamonic, is excited to be back in the post-season.


“It’s always exciting," Boychuk said. "We put everything on the line every game. It's fun to be out there.”


“We believe in our team and we’ve got a great group," Islanders forward John Tavares said. "I like where we’re at."

Isles practice lines: The Islanders used the following lines in their morning practice session on Tuesday:

Nielsen-Tavares-Okposo
Kulemin-Nelson-Bailey
Prince-Quine-Strome-Bernier

Martin-Boulton-Cizikas-Clutterbuck

Isles recall Quine: The Islanders on Tuesday recalled forward Adam Quine from his loan with the Islanders' American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.

Islanders close out regular season with loss to Flyers

"Long Island Faceoff" Staff Report

Despite two goals by the Islanders in the game, the
Islanders still lost their 2015-16 regular season finale
to the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. 

The New York Islanders were unable to close out their regular season with a win on Sunday night, as they fell 5-2 to the Philadelphia Flyers.

With the loss, the Islanders officially will be playing the Florida Panthers in Round 1 of this year's playoffs.

The Islanders had quite a few of their important players scratched for this game, including John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and others.

"We have to do what's best for us," Capuano said. "Nothing would have changed with our hockey club. We have some guys that are dinged up, and we have to do what's best for our team. That wouldn't have changed one thought process of our decision making as a staff. Not at all."

Nikolay Kulemin and Matt Martin scored for the Islanders, while Shayne Gostisbehere, Evgeni Medvedev, Michael Raffl, Scott Laughton and RJ Umberger scored for the Flyers.

Michal Neuvirth made 15 saves for the Flyers, while Thomas Greiss made seven saves for the Islanders before being replaced in the game by Christopher Gibson, who made 15 saves.

GAME NOTES:
Officials:
Referees: Dave Jackson, Steve Kozari
Linesmen: Steve Barton, Derek Nansen

Head Coaches:
Dave Hakstol (Philadelphia Flyers)
Jack Capuano (New York Islanders)

Philadelphia Flyers Scratches: Sean Couturier, Claude Giroux, Alex Lyon, Steve Mason, Wayne Simmonds, Mark Streit

New York Islanders Scratches: Jean-Francois Berube, Johnny Boychuk, Casey Cizikas, Mikhail Grabovski, Jaroslav Halak, Travis Hamonic, Nick Leddy, Anders Lee, Frans Nielsen, Kyle Okposo, Brian Strait, John Tavares

Sabres defeat Islanders 4-3 in OT

NEW YORK (AP) - Brian Gionta scored twice, including the deciding goal with 2:14 left in overtime, to lead Buffalo over New York.

Matt Moulson and Evan Rodrigues also scored for the Sabres, who finished the season with a 35-36-11 record and will miss the playoffs.

Linus Ullmark made 21 saves.

Scott Mayfield, Alan Quine and John Tavares scored and Christopher Gibson made 22 saves for the Islanders, who are still waiting to learn their playoff opponent.

Anders Lee out indefinitely with broken left fibula

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

New York Islanders forward Anders Lee has been labeled as out indefinitely with a broken left fibula.

Lee sustained the injury in the Islanders' 4-1 victory against the New York Rangers on Thursday night when he blocked a shot from teammate Johnny Boychuk in the first period and did not return to the game afterwards.

Islanders complete season sweep with win against Rangers

"Long Island Faceoff" Staff Report

The Islanders completed their first-ever season sweep
against the New York Rangers with a 4-1 victory on
Thursday night. (Getty Images)

The New York Islanders on Thursday night copleted their first-ever season sweep against the New York Rangers with a 4-1 victory at Madison Squre Garden last night.

The Islanders are now 4-0-0 against the Rangers this season.
  
"It's definitely fun beating those guys," said Islanders center Casey Cizikas, who scored the game-winning goal. "It's a tough game every single time we play them. It's fast, it's gritty and it's everything hockey is about. It's fun playing them, and getting the two points makes it even more exciting."

In the game, the Islanders were without forward Cal Clutterbuck, who missed his second game with a lower-body injury, Travis Hamonic, who has been out since March 31, and goaltener Jaroslav Halak, who was injured on March 8 and will miss at least two more weeks of playing time.

Shane Prince, Casey Cizikas, Frans Nielsen, and John Tavares scored for the Islanders, while Kevin Klein scored for the Rangers.

Thomas Greiss made 36 saves for the Islanders, while Henrik Lundqvist made 13 saves for the Rangers before being pulled and replaced by Antti Raanta, who made six saves for te Islanders, while Henrik Lundqvist made 13 saves for the Rangers before being pulled and rhe Rangers.

The Rangers out-shot the Islanders 37-23.

GAME NOTES
Officials:
Referees: Dan O'Rourke, Gord Dwyer
Linesmen: Scott Driscoll, Brad Kovachik

Head Coaches:
Jack Capuano (New York Islanders)
Alain Vigneault (New York Rangers)

New York Islanders Scratches: Jean-Francois Berube, Cal Clutterbuck, Mikhail Grabovski, Jaroslav Halak, Travis Hamonic, Matt Martin, Scott Mayfield, Brian Strait

New York Rangers Scratches: Dan Girardi, Oscar Lindberg, Ryan McDonagh 

Islanders defeat Capitals 4-3

The Islanders defeated the Washington Capitals 4-3
on Tuesday night. (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON (AP) Thomas Hickey scored in overtime as the New York Islanders rallied from two goals down in the third period to beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Tuesday night to clinch a playoff berth.

Hickey returned to the game after being cut by a skate and beat Braden Holtby 2:13 into overtime to complete the comeback and secure the Islaznders' third postseason appearance in four years.

Holtby allowed four goals on 27 shots and lost in his first attempt to tie Martin Brodeur's single-season wins record.

John Tavares, Kyle Okposo and Anders Lee also scored for New York, which got a 29-save performance from Christopher Gibson in his first career NHL start.

Alex Ovechkin scored his league-leading 46th and 47th goals of the season, and T.J. Oshie also scored for Presidents' Trophy-winning Washington, which has three games remaining for Holtby to attempt to tie or break Brodeur's record.

Islanders inch closer to playoffs with win over Lightning

"Long Island Faceoff" Staff Report

The Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2
on Monday night. (Getty Images)

The New York Islanders became one step closer to making the 2016 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night.

Ryan Pulock opened the scorig at 13:18 of the first period to give the Islanders a 1-0 lead.

Matt Martin, John Tavares, Johnny Boychuk and Brock Nelson also scored for the Islanders.

"I think as a team, us in here, knew Saturday wasn't good enough and we were embarrassed by it," Tavares said. "I really liked the way we responded and now you have to carry it over to [Tuesday]. That's the real important test, a test of our character on a tough back-to-back against a team that's won the Presidents' Trophy already. We're still fighting hard here, so that's really going to be a great test for us."

Alex Killorn and Victor Hedman scored for the Lightning. 

New York out-shot Tampa 36-34.

Ben Bishop made 18 saves for the Lightning, but was pulled and was relieved by Andre Vasilevsky, who made 13 saves. Thomas Greiss made 32 saves for the Lightning.

GAME NOTES:
Officials:
Referees: Chris Rooney, Dean Morton
Linesmen: Scott Driscoll, Brad Kovachik

Head Coaches
Jon Cooper (Tampa Bay Lightning)
Jack Capuano (New York Islanders)
 
Tampa Bay Lightning Scratches: Slater Koekkoek, Jonathan Marchessault Steven Stamkos, Anton Stralman

New York Islanders Scratches: Steve Bernier, Jean-Francois Berube, Eric Boulton, Mikhail Grabovski, Jaroslav Halak, Travis Hamonic, Brian Strait

Islanders call up G Christopher Gibson before game against Lightning

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

Christopher Gibson

With goalies Jaroslav Halak and Jean-Francois Berube injured for the Islanders, the team had to make an emergency call up before the their game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday.

The Islanders recalled goaltender Christopher Gibson from the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League.

Isanders head coach Jack Capuano said Monday that Thomas Greiss will start in goal against the Lightning.

Berube is currently day-to-day with a lower-body injury, while Halak is going to miss the remainder of the season with an injury that was announced earlier this year.

The Islanders also on Monday loaned Adam Pelech to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers for conditioning while he recovers from an injury.

Crosby picks up 600th assist in Penguins 5-0 win over Islanders

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

The New York Islanders had their playoff hopes dashed on Saturday after a 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In the game, Penguins forward Sidney Crosby picked up his 600th-career NHL assist, and the Penguins clinched a playoff berth for the upcoming Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Islanders are yet to clinch a playoff berth as they are currently sitting in an Eastern Conference wild card position in the standings.

Islanders defeat Blue Jackets with goal by Anders Lee

"The Neutral Zone" Staff Report

The Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3
on Thursday night. (Getty Images)

The New York Islanders are in a situation where every game and win counts towards the team making the playoffs.

Last night, they moved one step closer to that goal.

Anders Lee scored the game-winning power-play-goal 5:23 into the third period to help the Islanders defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Thursday night.

"These were two points that we came in needing to get," Lee said. "To pull it out in the third is really important. All of these other teams around us in the standings seem to be winning, too. We have to take care of ourselves."

John Tavares and Thomas Hickey also scored for the Islanders. Tavares had two goals in the game.

Brandon Dubinsky, Brandon Saad, and Boone Jenner scored for the Blue Jackets.

Islanders defenseman Travis Hamonic played 2:56 before he left the game early in the first period with a lower-body injury and did not return.

"I don't know anything, but just the fact that [Hamonic] didn't return says something," Islanders head coach Jack Capuano said.

Thomas Greiss made 21 saves for New York, while Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves for Columbus.

The Islanders out-shot Columbus 27-24.