After stealing Game 1 in Pittsburgh to start the series, the Islanders lost back-to-back games in the series, including a heartbreaker in Game 3. The Islanders took the ice Saturday against the Penguins in Game 4, needing a win to stay afloat in the series, and that is exactly what they did. The Islanders erupted Saturday with a huge performance in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The Islanders came out firing on all cylinders in Game 4, getting a handful of opportunities early on. The Penguins pushed back, putting pressure on the Islanders. However, the key for the Islanders was getting on the scoreboard first.

Through three games so far in this series, the team that has scored first has won each time. During Game 2 and Game 3, the Islanders found themselves down early in both games and found themselves chasing the game, thus, giving more effort on offense and making themselves weaker in other areas.

On Saturday afternoon, getting on the board first allowed the Islanders to establish their game and put pressure on the Penguins.

The Islanders started the third period with a 2-0 lead on the Penguins, and it really was a one-shot game for the Penguins; getting on the board would put them right back in it. Early on in the third period, the Islanders were handed a penalty, putting the Penguins on the power-play and giving the Penguins a perfect chance for a comeback. However, 30 seconds into the power-play, Penguins forward Jason Zucker took a penalty, giving the Islanders a four-on-four. Not even a minute later, the Penguins took another penalty, giving the Islanders a four-on-three power-play.

From there on out, it was smooth sailing from the Islanders. Oliver Wahlstrom, who has been key for the Islanders this season, was able to get a fortuitous bounce, giving the Islanders a 3-0 lead. 24 seconds later, Islanders forward Jordan Eberle got the puck all alone in the slot and roofed it high glove side on goaltender Tristan Jarry.

The Islanders were able to build off the momentum at the Nassau Coliseum effectively, and for the first time in this series, put the Penguins on their heels. The Penguins spent most of the game playing from behind, which played dividends for the Islanders.

Rookie goaltender Ilya Sorokin received the nod from head coach Barry Trotz and was all-world in Game 4. He was dialed in the right from puck drop, making crucial saves throughout the game on Sidney Crosby and Kasperi Kapanen. Sorokin stopped 29 out of 30 shots and was vital in the Islanders 4-1 win.

Mathew Barzal and Jordan Eberle have begun to get going. Both Barzal and Eberle have had slow starts to this series. In Game 3, Barzal recorded his first two points of the series, and in Game 4, his opportunities increased drastically compared to previous chances earlier in the series.

Although Barzal only recorded one assist in Game 4, his presence on the ice was enormous. In each game in this series, Barzal has been better and more comfortable; he is increasingly getting more and more time with the puck.

Eberle, who had incredible magic against the Penguins in the 2019 sweep, has struggled. Eberle’s Game 3 performance was pretty bad. However, he was able to get on the scoresheet for the Islanders in Game 4. Eberle is known to play well in spurts, and getting a big goal in Game 4 will be huge for his confidence and will hopefully get him going for the remainder of the series. All of key players for the Islanders are trending upwards and are looking like they are getting more and more confidence each game.

The Islanders win in Game 4 puts the team right back into this series and lays the groundwork for a turning point in the series.

Ethan Halle

Ethan is an Economics Major at the University of Florida looking to pursue a double major in Sports Management with a minor in political science.