Youth will be served . Or something like that.
The New York Islanders are making the Pittsburgh Penguins look old.
On Friday night, the Isles took a 2-0 series lead over the Pens with a convincing 3-1 win.
Entering the third period, the Islanders and Pens were knotted at 1-1 until Jordan Eberle struck for the eventual game-winner, on the power play, at 7:54 to give New York a 2-1 lead.
“It was Friday at the [Coliseum],” Eberle said. “It was awesome, and the boys responded well to the energy. We played a strong game throughout and it’s only going to be that way as each game gets more and more important. It was a good job by us taking advantage of home ice, but we have to get ready for Sunday.”
Robin Lehner, who must thank every star in the Milky Way Galaxy he no longer tends goal in Buffalo, made 32 saves to get the win.
“That line was really good,” Islanders coach Barry Trotz said. “[Eberle and Barzal] are attacking, they’re skating so well, and they’re playing off each other. Eberle’s goal was fantastic in a tight space there and it was a big goal for us.”
Erik Gudbranson scored the Pens lone goal when he gave the Pens a 1-0 lead in the second period..
“I thought we still did a good job of generating chances and had some big penalty kills to keep us in the game,” Penguins captain Sidney Crosby said. “We had opportunities similar to last game (a 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1), but they hung around and got the win.
“We just have to execute a little better.”
The Pens were whistled for six minor penalties in the loss.
“It’s tough being in the penalty box that much,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “It takes some guys out of the lineup and then you’re overtaxing others. It’s hard to get into a flow so it certainly was a challenge.”
Anthony Beauvillier and Josh Bailey also scored for the Isles who head to Pittsburgh with the upper hand in the series.
“We stuck with our game. I think everyone was involved, everyone was playing their game,” Lehner said. “I thought we were patient, but structured. They’re a really good team. They’re going to find ways to get some chances. No matter if we play really good defensively, they still find some chances. But it was a lot better than the back-and-forth game in Game 1.”
Game 3 of the series is in Pittsburgh on Sunday.
“Our defense is doing an unbelievable job, getting back to pucks and moving it to our forwards,” Islanders center Casey Cizikas said. “They’re getting the puck up quick and we’re getting it in their zone and playing below their goal line. That’s where we play our best hockey. We’re going to continue trying to do that.”
Matt Murray made 31 saves in taking the loss.
“The message is it’s the first team to win four games and not the first to win two games. So we have to go back home, control what we can to win one game, and then we’ll go from there,” Sullivan said.
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