The angriest series of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs will go to a Game 7. Which only seems fair.
Capitals vs. Islanders 2015 final score, NHL playoffs: 3 things we learned from New York’s Game 6 win
The Islanders forced a Game 7 with a 3-1 win.
Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Islanders held on at home for a 3-1 win in Game 6 on Saturday, evening their series with the Washington Capitals at 3-3. The series will now conclude in Washington, D.C. on Monday, making Game 6 perhaps the final game the Islanders play at Nassau Coliseum.
And what a game it was. The Capitals came out with guns blazing in the first period, outshooting the Islanders 16-9. This would become a theme for the Islanders, who relied on goalie Jaroslav Halak to bail them out time and time again as Washington peppered him with shots. Halak finished the game with 38 saves.
John Tavares scored in the first period, giving his team an early 1-0 lead. The Capitals answered back with just five seconds left in the period when John Carlson scored to tie the game.
Neither team would regain the lead until the third period. The Capitals attacked John Tavares in the corner, but he got the puck away in time to set up Nikolay Kulemin's go-ahead goal. Cal Clutterbuck would score an empty-net goal in the final minutes to seal the Game 6 win for New York.
3 Things We Learned
1. John Tavares took his own criticism to heart
The Islanders captain spent most of his media time after Game 5 talking about how he needed to play better. He certainly meant it; it was Tavares’ play in Game 6 that saved the Islanders’ season. Tavares scored in the first period and assisted on the game-winning goal while leading all New York forwards in ice time. He also took a heavy one for the team on the game-winning goal.
2. Washington’s Game 6 woes continue
The Capitals probably need to see a psychologist to work through their elimination game issues. Their loss on Saturday means they are 0-6 while holding a 3-2 series lead since 2006. Washington has yet to learn not to play with their food before eating it and moving on.
3. This series should go 20 more games
Washington and New York have put on the best playoff series of the first round. It’s been hard-hitting, exciting and downright angry at times. The brawl that ended Game 6 only left us wanting more.
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