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Isles Buzz Podcast - The Church Of Greiss |
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The Islanders had to come from behind yet again in these playoffs as they defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 to take a 1-0 series lead.
New York, for the sixth time in seven games, allowed the first goal of the game. Three minutes into the game Tampa took the lead as Ondrej Palat scored his second of the playoffs. A few minutes later Casey Cizikas laid a legal hit on Erik Condra. He left the game and did not return.
The game turned on that hit. Moments later Travis Hamonic scored his first career playoff goal as his shot trickled past Vezina nominee Ben Bishop. When the first period was over, the Tampa crowd was in shock as Shane Prince scored the next two for a 3-1 lead. Prince is the first Islander since Duane Sutter to score two goals in the first period of a playoff game. Sutter did it against the Rangers in Game two of the 1983 Division finals.
John Tavares continues his tear. His sixth goal of the playoffs chased Bishop in the second period. Bishop allowed four goals on 13 shots. Andrei Vasilevsky came on and stopped all 8 shots he faced. Tavares now has 22 points in 20 playoff games.
The team appeared to run out of gas in the third period as the Bolts closed the gap to 4-3. If it wasn't for Thomas Greiss, Tampa would have at least tied the game. Cal Clutterbuck's empty net goal sealed the win for the Isles.
Head coach Jack Capuano left the game in the third period after getting hit in the face with a puck. Capuano returned a little while later, like a true hockey player. The team was a little out of sorts in Capuano's absence. They settled down once Cappy returned.
Game 2 is Saturday on NBC.
Actor and depressed Kings fan Michael Vartan joins the podcast for a little therapy and swears his allegiance to "The Church of Greiss"
New York Islanders Blogger • 
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