Ryan Pulock Saves Islanders Victory
With the waning seconds of the third period expiring in Game 4 of the 3rd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Islanders clinging to a 3-2 lead, New York defenseman Ryan Pulock dove in front of an empty net to save a direct shot on goal by Tampa Bay defenseman Ryan McDonagh to save the Islander victory. McDonagh put on an acrobatic spin move that drew goaltender Semyon Varlomov far enough out of the net to get around him, leaving nothing in between the Lightning defenseman and an empty net to tie the game, when flies Pulock to know the puck away, secure the win and the Islanders head to Tampa Bay tied two games a piece.
The night began with the wild Nassau Coliseum crowd taking the lead mic for the Star Spangled Banner. New York came out on fire. Their defensemen were aggressive in keeping the puck in the zone. Tampa Bay had the only power play of the first period but were unable to score. The Islanders were outshot 11-3 but of those 3 shots, two hit the pipe by Kyle Palmeri and Matt Barzal. New York’s offense was much more aggressive. The defense played great and Semyon Varlomov was outstanding.
The second period was all Islanders with Josh Bailey notching the first goal to get by Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy on the evening. It was Bailey’s 6th goal of the playoffs. Matt Barzal made it 2-0 New York with his 6th goal in his last 8 playoff games and Matt Martin picked up his 1st goal of the playoffs to make it 3-0.
The Lightning didn’t go away. Brayden Point scored his 12th playoff goal and scored in his 7th consecutive game to cut the New York lead to 2 early in the 3rd period. 3 minutes later, Tampa Bay’s Tyler Johnson made it 3-2 and the Islander lead that was once 3 was down to 1 with just over 13 minutes to play. Plenty of time for the defending Stanley Cup Champions to tie it up.
Barry Trotz and the Islanders had other ideas. They played terrific defense, stifling the Lightning and holding on to the victory, even with a crazy few last seconds. Game 5 is Monday night at 8pm in Tampa Bay with the series tied at two.
Tune into The Drive with Charlie and Dan on Monday from 3p - 7p for the latest news on this series and all New York Sports.
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Ryan Pulock Saves Islanders Victory
With the waning seconds of the third period expiring in Game 4 of the 3rd round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs and the Islanders clinging to a 3-2 lead, New York defenseman Ryan Pulock dove in front of an empty net to save a direct shot on goal by Tampa Bay defenseman Ryan McDonagh to save the Islander victory. McDonagh put on an acrobatic spin move that drew goaltender Semyon Varlomov far enough out of the net to get around him, leaving nothing in between the Lightning defenseman and an empty net to tie the game, when flies Pulock to know the puck away, secure the win and the Islanders head to Tampa Bay tied two games a piece.
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