It took 23 years, but the New York Islanders are going to the second round of the playoffs.
Islanders captain John Tavares scored in double-overtime of Sunday’s Game 6 against the Florida Panthers, giving the Isles a four games to two series win — their first since 1993.
It was a huge moment for Tavares, who also scored the game-tying goal with under a minute left in regulation and has slowly captained the team back to prominence since they drafted him first overall back in 2009. Still just 25-years-old, it’s been pretty special to watch Tavares take control of the team and lead by example.
For the Islanders, the win gets the playoff monkey off their back and is, if nothing else, a great stamp on their inaugural season in Brooklyn. It may not be Fort Neverlose — and the Barclay’s Center has had its fair share of issues in regards to not being prepared to host hockey — but the crowd during Sunday’s game was rowdy and amazing.
The Islanders will move on to face the Tampa Bay Lightning in the next round.
