Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

NHL Playoffs Today: Islanders, Lightning both under pressure in Game 6

Written by 
Published in Hockey
Thursday, 17 September 2020 04:56

There has been only one NHL playoff team to rally and win after facing a 3-1 series deficit in the round immediately preceding the Stanley Cup Final: The New Jersey Devils in 2000, who went on to win the Stanley Cup.

The architect of that team? New York Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello. Can history be made again with New York now down 3-2 against the Tampa Bay Lightning after Game 5?

Check out ESPN NHL Playoffs Today every day of the postseason until the Stanley Cup is handed out in October.

More: What each eliminated team should prioritize this offseason to get better for 2020-21.

Thursday's game

Game 6: No. 2 Tampa Bay Lightning vs. No. 7 New York Islanders (TB leads 3-2) | 8 p.m. ET

After the Islanders extended the Eastern Conference finals with a double-overtime victory, who has more pressure heading into Game 6: the team trying to continue a rally from a 3-1 series deficit or the team trying to advance to the Stanley Cup Final?

"Put it this way," Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. "We have one life left. They have two. You tell me who has more pressure."

Lightning coach Jon Cooper said both teams could make their case as to which has more pressure, but he said he has learned through the years to manage his emotions and those of his team. "Maybe five years ago in this situation, you come off an overtime loss and you're kicking the can," he said, adding that one of his biggest lessons was to not "overcoach" in reaction to adversity.

"Pressure is what you make of it. So if you want to succumb to it, you can, or if you want to thrive in it, you can. You've got to make your choice," Cooper said. "You've got to embrace these moments. You don't get them that often. So enjoy them. And don't let that pressure get to you. Do your best on Thursday night, and see what happens."


Question of the day: What's the status of Brayden Point?

The Lightning's No. 1 center has 25 points in 16 postseason games. He has seven points in three games against the Islanders, all of them Lightning wins. The problem is that an injury forced him out of Games 3 and 5 of the series, which are not coincidentally the two games New York has won in this series.

Point's status for Game 6 remains in question, which means it could be another night of Anthony Cirelli centering Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov. That line was a plus-3 in scoring chances in Game 5; in Game 4, Point's line with that duo was a plus-6 in scoring chances.

There was a theory that the Lightning held Point out of Game 5 because of their series lead, but Cooper denied that.

"You don't want to put guys in a position where they're not going to be productive, and so anytime in my history of when guys have been hurt, they don't play the same way. Sometimes you have to protect them from themselves," he said Wednesday. "But in this situation, I'm hoping it's not the last time we're going to see Pointer, and we might be able to see him as early as tomorrow night. I don't have the answer for that. But to answer your question, we put the player first, and then we just go from there."


Bet of the day

Islanders vs. Lightning goal total under-5 (+115). The under-5 has hit twice in this series, including in Game 5. The Islanders are who we know they are. Even a Lightning victory is going to be a scratch-and-claw-for-every-goal affair. If Point's out again, this becomes even more feasible.


Call of the day

The Islanders' radio booth appeared to have a slight rooting interest in the game.


Stat of the day

The Islanders and Lightning have the two best overtime winning percentages in NHL postseason history. With the Game 5 win, New York improved to 36-20 (.643), but Tampa Bay remains the best in the extra sessions, at 20-9 (.690).


Quote of the day

"At this time of year, the game is less about the artistic part of the game. That gets thrown out a little bit. There are so many battles that happen. There's no space. There's no time. It becomes a little less creative." -- Islanders coach Barry Trotz on his team's aesthetically displeasing but ultimately successful Game 5 effort.


Social post of the day

Via "Quest For The Stanley Cup" on ESPN+, it's a look inside the Dallas and Vegas locker rooms, including a spirited lineup card reading from Ryan Reaves.

Read 448 times

Soccer

Arsenal fan banned 3 years for online Partey abuse

Arsenal fan banned 3 years for online Partey abuse

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA fan who racially abused Arsenal player Thomas Partey in a social...

Mascherano appointed as new Inter Miami coach

Mascherano appointed as new Inter Miami coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsInter Miami confirmed the appointment of former Liverpool, Barcelon...

Pulisic, Abraham earn Milan 3rd-straight UCL win

Pulisic, Abraham earn Milan 3rd-straight UCL win

AC Milan earned their third successive Champions League win with a 3-2 victory at Slovan Bratislava...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Sources: Bulls' Ball (wrist) eyes Wed. for return

Sources: Bulls' Ball (wrist) eyes Wed. for return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsChicago Bulls guard Lonzo Ball is targeting his return to action We...

Kings coach Brown fined $35K for pursuing ref

Kings coach Brown fined $35K for pursuing ref

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was fined $35,000 by the NBA on T...

Baseball

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated