5 Takeaways: Islanders Clinch Second Round Berth with 5-3 Win in Game 6

On to the next one. 

For the first time since 1993, the New York Islanders clinched a playoff series at Nassau Coliseum, as they advanced to the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a 5-3 win in Game 6 over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night. 

The Islanders executed the win in front of an electric atmosphere of Islanders faithful, which was increased in capacity from 6,800 to 9,000 for Game 6. 

Brock Nelson (2G, 1A), Anthony Beauvillier (1G, 2A), Kyle Palmieri and Ryan Pulock all scored while Ilya Sorokin made 34 saves on 37 shots in his fourth playoff win. 

Jeff Carter, Jake Guentzel and Jason Zucker scored for Pittsburgh while Tristan Jarry made 19 saves in the loss. 

“Special group that we have, lots of character and lots of leadership,” Beauvillier said. “We just stuck with it and obviously the fans gave us a little bit – every goal and every hit, every good shift and every battle that we won. They’re a huge part of our success in that first series and obviously, Ilya was really good for us again tonight.”

Video: Nelson, Islanders win Game 6, advance to Second Round

BEAUVILLIER, NELSON, BAILEY LINE PROPELS OFFENSE 

The Islanders’ victorious comeback was ignited by a sizzling effort from the Beauvillier, Nelson, Bailey line, as they combined for eight points (3G, 5A), five (2G, 3A) of which occurred in the Islanders’ dominant middle frame. 

After displaying a resilient first period to maintain a 2-2 tie coming into the second period, the Islanders stepped on the gas, scoring goals on three-straight shots in the span of 2:59 to take a stunning 5-3 lead, despite being outshot 16-9 in the period. Nelson bookended the three-goal effort while Pulock scored the game-winning goal, all of which was supported by an electric crowd. 

“We battled back a few times but this group always sticks with it,” Nelson said. “The fans gave us a boost. They were fired up today, they were rowdy, they were loud. Whenever we got that goal, they were there to kind of keep us going. And then once we got the lead, they were loud till the end.”

After Pittsburgh took a 3-2 lead just 1:53 into the middle frame on Zucker’s tip-in goal off of Cody Ceci’s point shot, the Islanders stuck with it and their offense exploded. 

“I liked the surge that we had, obviously three goals in about three minutes there,” Trotz said. “Then, we battled. We just battled.”

Video: PIT@NYI, Gm6: Nelson deposits Bailey’s cross-ice pass

Beauvillier set up the goal as he drew in two Pens d-men, dished the puck to Bailey who threaded a backdoor pass for Nelson’s tap-in at 8:35. After Pulock’s go-ahead goal, Nelson wired a wrist shot atop the left faceoff circle that trickled through Jarry’s pads at 11:34. 

Pulock blasted a one-timer from the point off an offensive zone faceoff win at 8:48 to give the Islanders their fourth goal of the game. His goal came just 13 seconds on the following shift after Nelson’s first goal. 

Nelson nearly had a hat trick with a breakaway late in the third period, but his attempt was stoned by Jarry. 

The Islanders weathered Pittsburgh’s desperate third-period push and its 12-5 shot on goal edge to keep the game scoreless and preserve their 5-3 win. The Islanders had a chance to extend their lead as they went on a four-minute power play late in the game after John Marino high-sticked Matt Martin and drew blood, but the Pens showcased a gutsy effort. Fortunately, the Islanders poised themselves for the win with their second-period effort. 

RESILIENT FIRST PERIOD SETS UP COMEBACK

While the Islanders and Penguins skated to a 2-2 score following the first 20 minutes of play, the Islanders showed resilience to stage their eventual comeback. In both instances that the Penguins took a 1-0 and 2-1 lead, the Islanders ushered a fast response. 

“We were able to grind it out and dig in, that says a lot about our group,” Trotz said. “The playoffs are hard enough and when you have to chase the game, it’s a grind mentally…They just stuck with it. They understand the process, they don’t deviate too much from it. We just find a way to keep on task.”

The Penguins got off to a fast start scoring on the first shot of the game at 1:27. With a quick exit out of their own zone and up ice, Kasperi Kapanen took his time and fed a flanking Jeff Carter, who beat a deep-in-his net Sorokin. 

After the Pens got on the board on the first shot of the game Beauvillier tied the score just 3:49 later. 

Bailey chipped a puck out of the Islanders’ zone to Nelson who threaded a streaking Beauvillier. The Islanders winger took the puck forehand to backhand and roofed his shot over Jarry at 5:16.

When Pittsburgh capitalized on the first power play of the game – as Guentzel buried a one-timer past Sorokin from the bumper spot and off of Pulock’s skate – the Islanders responded to even the score 1:13 later. 

Pageau jetted into the Pens’ zone and from the right half-wall, threw a puck on net. Jarry kicked out a rebound to the far side right onto Palmieri’s stick for the Islanders second goal to even the score 2-2 at 12:25 and into the second period. 

SOROKIN SEALS SERIES CLINCHER

Sorokin continued to script his impressive rookie season as he extended his previously set franchise record as the first rookie goalie to win each of his first four playoff games. 

While Pittsburgh was able to solve Sorokin on three accounts, the Russian netminder still made some mesmerizing saves at key moments to backstop a huge win. 

In the first period, Sorokin made a quick pad save on a fiery shot from Jared McCann in the high slot. On the same shift as Nelson’s unsuccessful second-period breakaway, Sorokin stopped his fellow countryman as Malkin was sprung on a breakaway of his own. 

The Islanders faithful applauded Sorokin throughout the game with enthused ‘Ily-a’ and ‘Il-y-a Sor-okin’ chants. 

ZAJAC MAKES POSTSEASON DEBUT:

Zajac drew in the lineup for the first time this postseason in place of Oliver Wahlstrom, who suffered an undisclosed injury in Game 5. 

“I’m here for the long haul,” Zajac said. “I’m here to help any way I can and be a part of it any way I can. Like everyone else, when my name is called you have to go in and do the right things and play winning hockey, control what you can control.”

Zajac skated on the ‘Trade Deadline’ alongside Pageau and Palmieri, named in reference to the trio being the most recent forwards that the Islanders have acquired over the past two seasons at the NHL Trade Deadline. He totaled 11:55 time on ice, recorded an assist, was plus-two and finished 50% on faceoffs. 

“Travis has got a lot of games under his belt and he’s terrific,” Trotz said. “He’s such a detailed guy and he’s got a really quiet competitive spirit. He doesn’t get small by the moment. His detail is excellent. He jumped in there and was great. That line was great.”

Zajac made a superb play in the final few minutes of the first period to keep the Pens from taking a 3-2 lead heading into the first intermission. Kapanen toe dragged past Nick Leddy and wrapped his shot past Sorokin’s skate, but Zajac curled behind the cage and snatched the puck at the goal line. 

The veteran forward also set up Pulock’s game-winner as he won the offensive zone faceoff and dropped the draw back to Pulock at the point. 

ROCKING ATMOSPHERE

The Islanders made it a point to recognize the raucous and passionate atmosphere of the Islanders faithful. With one last run in left inside the storied building of the Coliseum where the dynasty team won four-straight Stanley Cups from 1980-83, this current group of Islanders are looking to make the most of this opportunity and in front of their dedicated fans. 

“This is a special group and a special place,” Nelson said. “Lots of history in this building and there’s probably quite a few fans here tonight that witnessed the dynasty back in the ’80s and what that winning feels like. It was fun to get it done tonight in front of them. This is one step and we’re trying to make some history of our own here and put a nice run together here at the Coli.”

NEXT GAME:

The Islanders will take on the third-seeded Boston Bruins in the Second Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Date and time for Game 1 is TBD.