The Islanders’ top line has lived up to its billing, carrying over its spectacular close to the regular season with a phenomenal first round of the playoffs.
John Tavares has been creative and determined, finding any opening to make something from nothing, playing perfectly in sync with linemates Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, who are helping make one of the world’s best look even better.
Through the first three games of their series against the Panthers, the trio leads both teams in scoring, with Tavares tallying six points (two goals, four assists), Okposo notching five (one goal, four assists) and Nielsen producing three (two goals, one assist).
It is what was necessary for the Islanders to have a chance to win a playoff series for the first time in 23 years.
“It all started with Johnny [Tavares’] line,” center Alan Quine said following Sunday’s 4-3 overtime win. “They’re paving the way like they always do.”
The veterans have taken the lead, but a group of rookies who weren’t even on the Islanders’ roster two months ago may end up being the difference to ending the postseason drought, swinging the series in favor of the Islanders 2-1.
Quine made one of the biggest plays in Game 1, bursting through Florida’s zone past multiple defenders to assist Ryan Strome for the game-winning goal. Then, in Game 3, defenseman Ryan Pulock scored the Islanders’ first goal on a slap shot to cut a 2-0 lead and assisted on fellow rookie Shane Prince’s first career playoff goal later in the second to bring the Islanders within one again.
Though Islanders coach Jack Capuano knew the youngsters were capable of such game-changing performances, he was unsure what he’d see from them in their first few playoff games.
“The main thing that we tell these young guys when they first get here — I know from experience you try to come up and play safe and do the right things — … the guys that come up, I want them to play their position, enjoy it, have fun but don’t change what you do. You’re here for a reason,” Capuano said. “When they get here, the goal here is to help us.”
Incredibly, they all just got here.
Prince, 23, was traded to the Islanders from Ottawa on Feb. 29, having had trouble just seeing the ice with his former team, but in the past six games, he has two goals and an assist, posting a plus-3 rating in the playoffs.
Pulock, 21, made his NHL debut Feb. 28, and though the top Islanders prospect played in just 15 regular-season games, he has four points in his past four games, having become a lethal part of the team’s power play.
“You play these big games, some big games down the stretch, and [confidence] slowly builds,” Pulock said after Sunday’s win. “Obviously it doesn’t all come at once, but each game, you get a little more comfortable out there.”
Quine, 23, looks as comfortable and decisive as any player on the ice despite already playing more games in the postseason than the regular season.
Called up for the final two games of the regular season, Quine scored in his first career NHL game, returned to AHL Bridgeport and was recalled just before Game 1.
“It’s something I didn’t expect, but it’s an awesome opportunity,” Quine said. “It’s something I’m enjoying, and I’m happy to be along for the ride. … But certainly a part of me knew I could play at this level.”
Now, a bigger part of all of them believes. Now, they are a big part of a potential playoff run.
