UNIONDALE, N.Y. — John Tavares always exudes calmness, so it is no surprise to hear that he views his first postseason Game 7 as he would any road game.
But even the outwardly unflappable Tavares admits that nerves are a factor as pressure increases on a franchise trying to win a playoff series for the first time since 1993. Tavares, the Islanders’ captain, and his teammates will have to quell Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals once more to advance.
“I’ve had butterflies for every game of the series — it’s the excitement,” said Tavares, who opened the scoring in a 3-1 Islanders home victory in Game 6 on Saturday to force Monday’s deciding contest at Verizon Center.