Barry Trotz said he expected the New York Islanders’ best effort in Game 5 and he was not wrong.
The Islanders, facing elimination for just the second time this bubble season, did not play a dominant game (official shots: 37-24 for Tampa) but they played a Trotzian smart and percentages-based game. That, another strong night from Semyon Varlamov, and some disciplined penalty killing — including a four-minute double-minor that traversed the end of regulation and overtime — enabled the Islanders to win this do-or-die game in double overtime.
For the record: The winner came from Jordan Eberle after captain Anders Lee blocked a shot from Kevin Shattenkirk, then led the rush and fed Eberle at the perfect time on a 2-on-1.