Game 7 – Islanders rebound, win on road and end 39-year championship drought

ANAHEIM, CA — The New York Islanders defeated the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 at Honda Center in Game 7 to become the 2021-22 Stanley Cup champions, ending a 39-year drought since they last raised the Lord Stanley Cup in the 1982-83 season. 

The Islanders put their Game 6 loss behind them and struck first on J Roslovic’s snap shot in the 1st period. The Ducks answered quickly to start the 2nd period when Trevor Zegras notched his 13th of the postseason. Four minutes later, O Wahlstrom put New York back on top 2-1.

The Islanders wanted to avoid penalties at all costs, but they couldn’t.

Zdeno Chara was sent to the penalty box for tripping 8:43 into the 2nd period, and just before the penalty ended, T Terry scored on the power play goal to even the score 2-2.

The decisive moment occurred less than three minutes into the final period. 

The Ducks were desperately trying to clear their zone but failed under relentless pressure from New York, leading to a turnover that ended on Mathew Barzal stick. Barzal wrapped around the net to snap home the go-ahead goal for a 3-2 Islanders lead. 

New York played keep away for much of the final nineteen minutes and cushioned their lead on C Clutterbuck’s empty-net goal with less than a minute to play. 

Walhstrom was named MVP of the playoffs.

Game 6 – Super-charged Ducks tie the series

ELMONT, NY — The Ducks had their backs against the wall and facing elimination on the road. No problem. They powered past New York 5-2 to tie the series and will play the deciding battle on home ice when they return to Anaheim for Game 7.

Despite being out-shot 36-19, and out-hit 13-4, the Ducks remained focused on their goal — win no matter what — and took control early by scoring 3 goals in the opening period. 

The Islanders turned up the heat to crack Anaheim’s defense, and closed the gap to 3-2 by the second intermission. 

In the final period, Anaheim’s defense re-charged and kept the Islanders from finding a tying goal — while the offense tacked on two more goals to seal their victory.

Game 5 – Rare home loss by Ducks gives Islanders 3-2 lead

ANAHEIM, CA — The Islanders overcame a lack of discipline and defeated the Ducks 3-2 in Anaheim, taking  a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series. 

New York served seven penalties in the box, raising their total number of being short-handed to 75 times in the playoffs (Anaheim has been short-handed 72 times). Unfortunately, the Ducks would score only once while having a man-advantage for a total of 9 minutes and 40 seconds.

Islanders Roslovic score the game-winner

The game ended the first and second intermission in ties 0-0, then 1-1. A little over five minutes into the final period, Mathew Barzal notched his 7th goal of the postseason to send New York ahead 2-1. Less than two minutes later, Ryan Getzlaf tied it 2-2 with his 5th of the postseason. 

With the game tied 2-2 and overtime 18 seconds away, Anthony Beauvillier carried the puck into the zone, sent a cut back pass to Jack Roslovic who snapped off a shot and scored the go-ahead goal for the Islanders.

The loss by Anaheim was just their second at the Honda Center where they’ve won 10 times during the playoffs..

Game 4 – Islanders pull even as Brazil scores twice

ELMONT, NY — Mathew Barzal scored twice and the Islanders evened the series against the Ducks, pulling away late for a 5-2 victory.

After Anaheim took a 2-1 lead on Pickard Rakell’s 6th playoff goal less than 2 minutes into the 2nd period, Barzal leveled the score 2-2 just before intermission.

The 3rd period belonged to New York who took control with two goals in the first 8 minutes including Barzal’s second of the game (unassisted). Barzal finished the night with 5 shots, and +3.

Anaheim scored both their goals during power play opportunities. The first, off the stick of Trevor Zegras 7:52 into the 1st period, then Rakell’s goal later while Islanders Anthony Beauvillier was serving a tripping penalty carried over from the 1st period.

Game 3 – Islanders finally get it right

ELMONT, NY — The series shifted to New York and the home fans were relieved to see that their Islanders know how to hold a lead — and win. The Islanders unleashed their offense in the 3rd period to score three goals and went on to a 5-2 victory over Anaheim at USB Arena.

Ducks Kevin Shattenkirk gave New York a scare when he gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead just 6:31 into the game, but Noah Dodson brought the Islanders even with his second of the playoffs seven minutes later. 

The teams traded goals for a 2-2, then a goal by Anthony Beauvillier broke the tie 9:43 into the 3rd period. Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Casey Cizikas added goals to provide insurance. It was Beauvillier’s first game after missing considerable time with an injury.

Game 2 – Déjà Vu in a bad way!

ANAHEIM, CA — The Islanders jumped out to a 2-0 lead only to surrender the tying goals to Anaheim in the 3rd period, then proceeded to give up the game-winner in overtime, losing 3-2. Just like in Game 1.

The Ducks scored during power play opportunities with Rickard Rakell lighting the lamp 10 seconds before the end of regulation. In overtime, center Sam Steel put back a loose puck burped up by Islanders goalie Semyon Varlamov.

Game 1 – Islanders rest on lead, then lose

ANAHEIM, CA — The Anaheim Ducks defended home ice in the opening game of the Stanley Cup Final, defeating the New York Islanders in overtime 3-2. 

New York was their own worst enemy

After the Islanders went up 2-0 early in the 2nd period on Cal Clutterbuck’s third of the postseason, New York pumped the brakes to defend their lead. Meanwhile, the Ducks went into overdrive and scored two goals in the 3rd period as Ryan Getzlaf put in the equalizer with 4:14 left in regulation.

In overtime, during a 4-on-4 power play, Hampus Lindholm took aim from high up the ice and launched a shot toward the net. C/LW Trevor Zegras stuck out his stick to change its path — only slightly, but it was enough to go under Semyon Varlimov’s left glove.