Pittsburgh Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese, left, slides into the goal behind Islanders goaltender Semyon Varlamov, right, during the first period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Credit: AP/Gene J. Puskar
Such is the reservoir of goodwill Barry Trotz has developed in three seasons with the Islanders that no matter the result, the events of Tuesday night should not be considered a defining event on his performance chart.
But still: Islanders fans have every right to question a bold decision that went awry in 2-1 loss in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.