The New York Islanders needed to find ways to win with just 11 games to go and a playoff spot points away. They got the job done against the Florida Panthers.
SUNRISE, FL -- The New York Islanders needed to find ways to win with just 11 games to go and a playoff spot points away.
In one of the more team wins of the season, the Islanders held on to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Thursday night at Amerant Bank Arena.
Semyon Varlamov made 27 saves on 29 shots in an impressive performance.
"It's amazing to win, especially here in Florida, against one of the best offensive teams in the NHL," Varlamov said. "Great feeling. A pretty good start and a great finish. Guys were battling really, really hard today."
Here's how it happened:
After Ryan Pulock's goal was waived off for goalie interference due to Kyle MacLean impeding Panthers netminder Anthony Stolarz, Florida got on the board first.
Trade deadline acquisition Vladimir Tarasenko tried to feed Aleksander Barkov at the blocker-side post, but his pass deflected off Jean-Gabriel Pageau's stick and past Varlamov at 8:13 of the first:
Pulock got the waived-off goal back after he rang one off the blocker-side post and in from the right dot at 13:20 of the first to tie the game at 1-1:
Pulock's fifth of the season was assisted by Pageau and Casey Cizikas.
The score remained tied heading into the second period, but Florida took the lead back early in the second.
After Adam Pelech turned the puck over in the neutral zone, Sam Reinhart, with speed, broke into the Islanders' zone before he fed Aleksander Barkov at the blocker-side post for a tap-in, with Noah Dobson right there:
However, New York got the goal back just over two minutes later. After Barzal reversed the puck back to Pulock at the blue line, his right point shot was tipped by Barzal in the slot past Anthony Stolarz, knotting the game at 2-2:
Just beyond the halfway mark of the frame, New York took the lead for the first time.
Pelech let a shot go from the left point, which was stopped by Stolarz initially, but a mad scramble ensued on the right side of the cage. Cizikas missed his attempt, but Jean-Gabriel Pageau found the loose change and gave the Islanders a 3-2 lead:
The Panthers came up with a push in the third period, outshooting the Islanders 15-5. However, despite the momentum and a Bo Horvat penalty halfway through the period, the penalty kill came up with a big stand and Varlamov made some big saves.
While the Islanders failed to convert on a double minor penalty to keep Florida in the game, Varlamov once again stood tall, helping New York wrap up a 3-2 win.
The win also kept Florida from punching its ticket to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Up Next: The Islanders head north to face the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.