Islanders Eliminated From Playoffs

Thanks to the overtime goal from Brooks Orpik at the 7:49 mark of overtime, the Pittsburgh Penguins moved on to the 2nd round and the New York Islanders are sent home form the playoffs early. There were times during this series where the Islanders looked flat and showed no life. There were times during this series where the Islanders looked great and look like they could pull off the upset in the round. Whatever the causes or the reason, the Islanders showed the league that they aren't a pushover anymore and will be a good team down the road.

As I talked about last week the Islanders had showed life at times in the series, and at times had looked flat. In game six when it counted at home, the Islanders just weren't able to play a complete 60 minute hockey game and it cost them in the end. After Okposo scored to give the Islanders the lead in the 3rd, instead of attacking the Penguins, the Islanders seemed to shut down and play more of a defensive style. When Paul Martin scored to tied the game for the Pens late in the third, I think a lot of the air was taken out of the building. The Isles had a few good chances to win it in overtime but Vokoun  played great in the last two games of the series.

Basically the Islanders need not to be disappointed by this elimination. I look at this as a giant step forward. What this series, and this season for that matter, has told me is that this club isn't going to be pushed around anymore.

So yes it stinks the Islanders have been eliminated from the playoffs but they will be back again I'm calling that right now. Stay tuned to the blog for a season recap for the Islanders coming later this week!