Islanders’ Playoff Struggles
On May 31, five years ago, the New York Islanders found themselves in a precarious situation during the second round of the playoffs at TD Garden, facing a 1-0 deficit against the Boston Bruins after a disappointing Game 1. The Bruins had established themselves as the clear favorites, showcased by an impressive hat trick from David Pastrnak in the series opener. If they secured a win in Game 2, the series would have felt all but lost for New York before heading back to their home arena, Nassau Coliseum.
Turning Point in Game 2
The Islanders’ troubles began almost immediately in Game 2. Just two and a half minutes into the match, Charlie Coyle broke past the Islanders’ defense and scored, giving the Bruins an early 1-0 lead. Throughout the first period, Boston largely controlled the action, outpacing the Islanders in shots with a count of 17-9. However, the tides began to turn when Pastrnak received a penalty for goalie interference halfway through the second period.
This was the turning point that the Islanders had been seeking. Capitalizing on their power play, Josh Bailey managed to find the net by banking a shot off defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, leveling the score to 1-1. Mere moments later, Kyle Palmieri stepped up to score during a rush, giving New York an unexpected 2-1 lead.
Later in the second period, Leo Komarov drew a penalty from Brandon Carlo, leading to another chance for the Islanders. Jean-Gabriel Pageau made sure to convert, extending their lead to 3-1 by the end of the second frame. Normally, this score would have given the Islanders a strong advantage, known for their ability to close out games when ahead.
Bruins Fight Back
However, the Bruins were not going down without a fight. With just under ten minutes left in the third period, Patrice Bergeron narrowed the gap to 3-2 with a quick shot from the slot. A further shake-up for New York came when they committed a too-many-men-on-the-ice infraction, allowing Boston to seize the moment. It took the Bruins only 30 seconds to equalize, with Brad Marchand finding the back of the net.
Cizikas’ Heroics
With the possibility of a crushing defeat looming—blowing a 3-1 lead and facing a daunting 0-2 series deficit—Casey Cizikas stepped in to change the narrative. Seizing an opportunity when Lauzon fumbled the puck at the blue line, Cizikas sped in for a breakaway. Remaining calm and collected, he fired a precise shot over Tuukka Rask’s shoulder, sealing a dramatic victory for the Islanders and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
