Islanders Pull Out A Win and Make This A Series

Matt Martin and Barclay Goodrow fight

Afterwards, the DJ plays the Friends Theme Song #GoBolts | #Isles pic.twitter.com/RdkdBale05
— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) September 12, 2020

Don’t care that the Lightning are leading the Islanders 2-1 in this series, now that the Islanders have squeaked out a win–we’re cooking with gas.

Islanders got the ball rolling tonight with their first win of the series. Both the Lightning and Islanders started out with posting a goal in the first but during the 2nd period, the Isles took the lead. They had 2 goals from Adam Pelech and Anthony Beauvillier during the those 20 minutes and it seemed like maybe they finally found their groove. But, as they say, a 3-1 lead is the most dangerous lead in hockey and boy did that saying stand tonight.

That lead fell apart in the 3rd. Ondrej Palat got the Lightning within one 1:32 into the 3rd and Tyler Johnson get the game tied up with about 8 minutes to go. You could tell morale was low out there. Another upset for the Islander, another lost lead. But – alas- they had Brock Nelson to give them hope. Nelson scores with 3:25 remaining and all of a sudden the light is back in the Islanders’ eyes. Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored an empty-netter to seal the deal of a 5-3 victory but that goal had some push back.

Nikita Kucherov – who I hyped up literally two days ago – pulled some greasy hits on Pageau during his break away to the empty-net goal. Those were some cheap hooks and slashes by Kuch, there is no way around it. Sure you want to stop a guy on a breakaway but not like that. It’s petty and bullshit so I understand the heat between both teams right after the goal.

Nikita Kucherov doesn't want Jean-Gabriel Pageau to get his empty-netter. Pageau takes exception after scoring pic.twitter.com/Uq1T1ZJY3k
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) September 12, 2020

Fear not though because right after that, we got a nice scrap between Matt Martin and Barclay Goodrow. I love when Matt Martin fights, the guy is such a tank and so much fun to watch. This Islanders wrapped it up with a 5-3 victory and at least a standing chance in the series. Tonight’s game really heated this series up another notch. We got some anger and some revenge in the mix and all that makes for a delightful series. I’m happy that the Islanders are pushing back, IMO I think sweeps are boring so I like to see them get one win in.

Now tomorrow it’s back to Dallas vs Vegas and I am not prepared. Check out my blog last night to see why and check in tomorrow to see if I’m living on cloud 9 or crying in the middle of a ditch.

I’ll leave you with this terrifying gif tonight though: