The New York Islanders clinched a spot in the Stanley Cup Semifinals after beating the Boston Bruins in Game 6. The series against the Bruins was both high-scoring and extremely physical. Many Islanders had their best game in the Second Round; however, there were three particular players who played a huge role in the team advancing in the NHL Playoffs.

Kyle Palmieri

Kyle Palmieri was a trade deadline acquisition from the New Jersey Devils. During the regular season, his performance was rather underwhelming recording only four points in 17 games. However, he has been a completely different player since the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. In Round 2, Palmieri led the team for most goals scored with four goals including one power-play goal. He also had the best shooting percentage of any Islander with 33.3%. Palmieri was among two other players who recorded six points, the highest on the team from the Second Round.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Jean-Gabriel Pageau has been a huge asset for the Islanders since they acquired him back in the 2019-20 season and he was excellent during the series against Boston. Pageau recorded two goals, one of which was a power-play goal, and four assists. He combined for six points to put him with Palmieri for most points earned in Round 2. Additionally, Pageau was tied with Scott Mayfield for the best plus/minus rating in the series with a +6.

Among Islanders forwards, Pageau had the highest average time on ice with 18:08 throughout the six-game series. He was also outstanding in the faceoff circle. He had the most faceoff wins on the team with 66 and had one of the best faceoff win percentages among the Islanders with 55%.

Mathew Barzal

Mathew Barzal did not score any goals in Round 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins, so he was under a lot of pressure to perform extremely well in Round 2 against the Bruins. And well, he did just that. He was phenomenal in the Second Round, so much so that he was arguably the best player in the series for the Islanders. Barzal scored three goals which included one power-play goal and one game-winning goal. He also had three assists giving him six points to tie with Palmieri and Pageau for the most points earned in Round 2.

It is no surprise that Barzal started scoring in the series against Boston because he was putting more pucks to the net. He registered the most shots on goal (17) for the Islanders in the Second Round.

Stanley Cup Semifinals

The Islanders would not have been able to succeed in the NHL Playoffs if it were not for the huge efforts from these three players. They now look to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Stanley Cup Semifinals and are looking to make a comeback after their tough loss to the Lightning in the Eastern Conference Finals last year. If the Islanders continue to stick to their system and have everyone contributing, they should have a very good outcome in the NHL Playoffs this year.

[sendtonews key=”7sM2BLU6Yn-1361309-9119″ type=”single”]

Maisy Healy

I am a huge Islanders fan and love spreading my passion for the team here at Drive4Five.  Along with writing, I also co-manage the Drive4Five TikTok and Facebook accounts.