New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings Grab Essential Wins

The New York Islanders took a 2-1 series lead against the Florida Panthers in overtime while the Detroit Red Wings shut out the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Islanders applied more pressure in the first period and beginning of the second, but only the Panthers could put the puck through the net. They owned a 3-1 lead just a minute into the second before the Islanders found their footing.

The Islanders tied it up at the end of the second period. The Panthers could not stay out of the penalty box, either.

Both teams played a defensive third period without any goals and only a combined 14 shots.

But in overtime, Thomas Hickey once again propelled his team to victory. He scored the overtime goal in April to get the Islanders into the playoffs.

The Detroit Red Wings entered game 3 down two games to the Tampa Bay down two games to none. Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill shook up the lineup by pulling goalie Jimmy Howard and sticking Petr Mrazek in the net.

It worked.

Andreas Athanasiou and Henrik Zetterberg scored their first goals of the playoffs in the second period.

“I thought we did a good job from the start of the game tonight all the way through,” said Blashill. “I thought we played well on both sides of the puck.”

However, the Red Wings could not capitalize on their numerous power plays, including a 5-on-3.

Emotions remained high as this game also ended in a brawl, similar to Game 2.

Lightning forward taunted Athanasious for not fighting by performing the chicken dance. Athanasious pummeled Lightning forward Mike Blunden’s face into the ice at the end of Game 2.