Islanders Capitalizing On Critical Faceoffs; Small Detail With Big Playoff Implications
The New York Islanders leaned on timely face-off wins to hold off the Calgary Flames and secure a crucial 3-2 victory in their playoff push.
ELMONT, NY — At this stage of the NHL season, the New York Islanders are in no position to squander leads when they get them.
On Saturdy night, the Islanders found themselves up 3-0 against the Calgary Flames, the first time they had held that big of a lead since Jan. 26. However, the Flames pushed, and with the Islanders on the second leg of a back-to-back, things were getting dicey in the third period.
At the 8:28 mark of the final frame, Blake Coleman scored to make it a 3-2 game, and the pressure was on. But the Islanders were able to hold on for a critical two points in large part to goaltender David Rittich.
However, the other part of the equation was the Islanders’ work in the face-off dot, especially late.