The Penguins' incredible victory over the Islanders Thursday was one of the best playoff hockey games we've seen in years. Too bad the officials tried their best to ruin it.
Pittsburgh overcame a third-period onslaught from the Islanders and referees to leave the Nassau Coliseum with a 5-4 win. The decisive goal came when Brandon Tanev found the back of the net with 3:36 remaining, but the indelible image of the night will be the shot of Pittsburgh's entire top line all sitting in the penalty box. The referees completely lost control.
The melee started with 14:25 in the third period, when New York winger Oliver Wahlstrom charged the net and unsuccessfully tried to push the puck past Tristan Jarry. At that point, Scott Mayfield shoved Sidney Crosby to the ice, while Jean-Gabriel Pageau held Kris Letang in a headlock.
Then the violence was allowed to continue. Mayfield struck again, taking down Brian Dumoulin and battering him with a right hand. It was a complete mugging.
But somehow, the Islanders emerged with the power play, while Crosby, Letang, Dumoulin, Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust sat in the penalty box. They tied the game when Anthony Beauvillier poked the puck past Jarry.
Mercifully, when the Islanders went back on the cheap attack, the Penguins were awarded with the power play. Jeff Carter's goal gave Pittsburgh a momentary 4-3 lead.
With fans allowed back at the Coliseum, the energy was electric, and the game was an instant classic. The fast pace and brutality showed why playoff hockey is so great. It's wonderful to have it back in non-bubble form.
Unfortunately, the referees seemingly got sucked into the atmosphere. The Penguins were punished for the Islanders' thuggery. The scene was reminiscent of the Valentine's Massacre, when the Islanders assaulted the Penguins. There were 15 fighting majors and 346 penalty minutes in that contest.
But the Penguins are the better team, and now, they're in control of the series. Too bad they had to survive cheap assaults on the way.
Who's ready for Game 4?
