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Game 6 overtime against the Lightning had a bad memory attached. Tampa Bay’s Anthony Cerrelli eliminated the Isles in the same game last year...That was in The Bubble. This one was in The Barn. Anthony Bouvillier of the Islanders made short order of overtime, scoring just 68 seconds into the extra period. Somehow, in the excitement, Islander fans thought sending beer cans flying onto the ice was OK. It’s not but I understand the situation and I think the Islander players did too.

Mathew Barzal put the Islanders on the board with just over 7 minutes remaining in the 2nd period. New York’s offense looked sharp and matched the Lightning shot for shot. But it was Varlomov’s acrobatic act, save after save that was the difference in today’s game.

Barry Trotz has the Islanders playing their best hockey in the midst of the playoffs. That’s his plan all year. Both goalies are fighting for minutes. Rookie, Illya Sorokin was between the pipes for the Penguins series victory. Trotz, relying on his keen sense, put Semyon Varlomov in goal for this series. People may have questioned the move when he did it, then again, not many people question Barry. Mollie Walker, who covers the NHL for the New York Post, was on the Drive with Charlie and Dan last week. She talked about the Islanders culture and how the players will run through a wall for Barry Trotz.