May 13, 2013, New York Islanders had chances but came up short in Game Six of Eastern Conference Quarterfinal sidebar for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
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Isles have chances, come up short in Game 6
Reuters
Penguins forward Jarome Iginla scores past the defense of
the Islanders' Brian Strait and goalie Evgeni Nabokov during the first
period on Saturday, May 11, 2013, at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.
By Denis Gorman
Published: Saturday, May 11, 2013, 10:33 p.m.
Updated 22 hours ago
UNIONDALE, N.Y.— The task at hand for the Islanders was brutal in its simplicity:
Win a game.
But even though the Islanders had the better
of play for much of the game, they wake up Sunday knowing that their
season has ended.
“It's going to take awhile—weeks—to digest this,” Travis Hamonic said after the Islanders' 4-3 overtime loss to the Penguins in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinal Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum.
The Islanders are now 3-1 all-time in
Stanley Cup Playoff series against the Pens, including Game 7 wins in
the 1975 quarterfinals and the 1993 Patrick Division final.
This will be a loss that resonates because
the Islanders did everything they had to do in order to win the
win-or-go-home game.
New York implemented a multi-faceted attack which had the Penguins on their heels from the opening puck drop.
The Islanders finished with a 38-21 advantage in shots on goal.
“They're going to be in the playoffs for a long time,” Sidney Crosby said of the Islanders.
As they had in Games 2 through 4, the
Islanders used their speed and physicality to wear on the Penguins. Even
though the stat sheet showed the Islanders had a marginal edge in hits
(19-17), they were clearly the aggressors, led by Matt Martin's
game-high 11 hits.
The hitting paid off on the Islanders'
second goal of the game. Fourth liners Keith Aucoin and Michael Grabner
forced a turnover behind Pens goalie Tomas Vokoun, and Colin McDonald
slammed a backhander into the net that gave New York a 2-1 lead.
Aucoin and Grabner combined on the go-ahead
goal 2:21 into third, using a combination of a strategic adjustment made
by coach Jack Capuano and their speed.
Although the Islanders spent the majority of
the game attacking, they clogged the neutral zone in an attempt to
eliminate the Pens' stretch pass, which was so effective in the 4-0 win
in Game 5. The trap mostly took away passing lanes and forced the
Penguins to skate the puck the length of the ice.
“We played a good hockey game,” Martin said.
When the Pens tried to pass against the
trap, it resulted in turnovers, none more critical than Norris Trophy
finalist Kris Letang's clearing attempt 2:20 into the third that Aucoin
intercepted at the blue line. The New York center took several strides
towards the slot, faked a slap shot and feathered a pass to Grabner,
standing in the right faceoff circle, for a one-timer that Vokoun never
saw.
But even though the Islanders never trailed,
they were unable to extend their leads. New York had leads of 1-0, 2-1,
and 3-2, but the Penguins were able to score tying goals.
“We just couldn't get that second
goal lead,” Hamonic said. “Overtime and they get a lucky shot. It really
(ticks) you off. It really does.
“I think that we played really well.
We could've won the series. Should've, in my opinion. It leaves a
bitter, sour taste for the rest of the summer.”
http://triblive.com/sports/penguins/3993872-74/islanders-game-penguins#axzz2T6vIDggw
posted by Denis P. Gorman at 1:33 PM
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