Hats off to the two people who thought Brooks Orpik would score the overtime goal in Game 6. (Probably his parents.)
Penguins vs. Islanders Game 6 recap: Brooks Orpik sends the Isles packing
The Penguins advanced to the second round after a 4-3 overtime win on Saturday.
The Penguins and Islanders played rather evenly in overtime, but you could tell that New York was beginning to wear down. The Islanders started losing puck battles and began falling behind the Penguins' speedy forwards, and it ultimately cost them. Out of nowhere, Tyler Kennedy dished to the point and Orpik unleashed a powerful shot that escaped past Evgeni Nabokov.
It was an unfortunate end for an Islanders squad that played surprisingly well against what many believed to be the league’s best team. Orpik complemented New York after the game, saying they reminded him of the Penguins before they came into their own and won a Cup. The future is certainly bright on Long Island, and this series proved it.
Will Vokoun continue his dominance of the Islanders?
Once again, Tomas Vokoun was the clutch goalie that the Penguins needed. Sure, he gave up four goals. But if Marc-Andre Fleury was in net, it would've been seven. And that's not an exaggeration: the Penguins were putrid in their own end again on Saturday. Vokoun faced 38 shots and stopped 35 of them. He's the reason they're moving on and not playing a Game 7.
Can the Isles shut down the Pens’ offensive defense?
New York did a good job throughout the game stifling the Pens’ blueline at...well, the blueline. They applied constant pressure to the d-men and forced the forwards to make the plays. Yes, the Penguins scored the winning goal from one of their defensemen, but that was more due to the Isles’ tired legs than Brooks Orpik’s talent.
Does John Tavares have one more great game on Long Island in him?
Tavares was great on both ends of the ice on Saturday. He cashed in early with the first goal of the game and was active defensively as well. But the Penguins did a nice job of playing him physically, as Tavares struggled to find space throughout the game.
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