The Islanders once again fell painfully short of a trip to the Stanley Cup Final, but despite a heartbreaking defeat in game seven of the Eastern Conference Finals, the 2021 playoff run is still the most memorable one the franchise has had in decades.
So, in what was the last postseason for the Islanders at Nassau Coliseum, let’s look back at the top five moments from an unforgettable run:
Palms pounces on the Pens
Setting the tone for a dramatic postseason, the Islanders needed some heroics from newcomer Kyle Palmieri in game one of their first round series against the Penguins. After giving New York a 1-0 in the first period, Palmieri came through again in overtime, slapping home a sharp angle shot with less than four minutes to go in the extra period to steal one on the road for the Islanders.
Bailey buries it in 2OT
Back in Pittsburgh for game five, the Islanders needed another big road win to avoid going down 3-2 in the series and facing an early elimination from the playoffs. Josh Eberle put home the equalizer in the third period, and after a scoreless overtime, Josh Bailey pounced on a mistake by Pittsburgh goalie Tristan Jarry to give New York its second road win of the series.
Jarry tried to send an outlet pass toward center ice, but Bailey sped into the attacking zone, intercepted the pass and beat Jarry less than a minute into double overtime to put the Islanders on the cusp of advancing.
Cizikas evens the series
After disposing of the Penguins, the Islanders were in danger of falling behind 0-2 in the second round against the Bruins, battling in overtime in game two after dropping game one. Boston was on the attack late in the overtime period, but an errant pass bounced off a skate and right into the lap of Casey Czizikas, who flew in on a breakaway chance and put home the game-winner to send the series back to Long Island, all tied at one apiece.
Pulock saves the series
A strong contender for the best play of the playoffs, Ryan Pulock’s heroics in game four against the Lightning helped New York even the series at two apiece, with Tampa threatening to send the game into overtime after trailing 3-0 in the third period.
Tampa but the deficit to 3-2 and was on the attack in the closing seconds of the game, and Ryan McDonagh made a nifty spin move with less than five seconds to go to get Semyon Varlamov out of the crease, and his shot at the open net was turned away by Pulock, who slid across to carefully turn the shot away with his hand, giving the Islanders a dramatic 3-2 win at the Coliseum.
A dramatic farewell
The Islanders hoped game six against the Lightning wouldn’t be the last ever at Nassau Coliseum, but that’s exactly what it was, and it will go down as one of the most memorable games played in that building since the 1980s dynasty.
Fighting for their playoff lives with a 3-2 series deficit, New York battled Tampa into overtime, tying the game in the third period thanks to a Scott Mayfield goal. In the extra period, Anthony Beauvillier picked off a pass in the attacking zone, beat Andrei Vasilevskiy to send the Coliseum into a frenzy one last time.
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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