Former Islanders forward Kyle Okposo is loving every second of being back in the playoffs after joining the Panthers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.

The New York Islanders are no longer competing in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, but former Islanders forward Kyle Okposo is fighting alongside the Florida Panthers in the Second Round against the Boston Bruins. 

That series is tied at 1-1, with Game 3 coming Friday night at 7 PM ET. 

The Panthers came away victorious in Game 2 by a score of 6-1, and Okposo spoke about what playing in a playoff game and winning one feels like.

'That one felt like a playoff game," Okposo said. "It just is different. There's not many things in this world where you get to do that gives you that feeling, that just pure dopamine release in your brain. Playoff hockey is one of them.

"I know I'm not going to be able to do this forever, and I know that I'm nearing the end of my road, for sure. But when you get into a game like that, and you get the atmosphere, and you are starting to feel it, some jump and some legs, and you're finishing checks and creating chances, it's just a phenomenal feeling."

How can you not be romantic about hockey?

Okposo, who donned the Islanders sweater for the first nine years of his NHL career, spent the last eight years with the Buffalo Sabres before joining the Panthers at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline.

He hadn't played in the playoffs since 2016 with the Islanders, a seven-year gap before these playoffs. 

Skating as an extra at the end of the regular season and to start the playoffs, Okposo played in the final three games against the Tampa Bay Lightning before the first two games against the Boston Bruins.

Who knows how many years Okposo has left in the NHL or if this run will be his last. If this is it, it's good to know that he is enjoying every second of it. 

Okposo has an assist in five playoff games, playing on their fourth line. 

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