Bailey wins it in 2OT as Islanders grab series lead

*Photo from PensBurgh*

New York leads series 3-2

   Overtime playoff hockey is simply a spectacle. So many last ditch efforts, incredible chances, even more incredible saves overtime in the playoffs is a must watch. So far, for these playoffs, it's just been a question of how many overtimes will be needed. Jordan Eberle scored the tying goal, Josh Bailey won it, and the New York Islanders defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in double overtime Monday night.

   Islanders coach Barry Trotz said "What I liked about our group was that we pulled together. We got stronger because it wasn't easy, it wasn't going our way and instead of trying to shift the blame or anything we just dug in. That's to me what good teams do, when you're not at your best, you find a way to hang in there, find a way to win and that to me shows a lot of character to our group. I always complement our group on character and that's one of our strengths."

   Ilya Sorokin got the win in goal for New York. Sorokin put up another stellar outing for his 3rd win of the playoffs, saving 48 out of 50 shots in 80:09 of hockey. In large part because of Sorokin, the Islanders head back home for game 6 with a 3-2 series lead, instead of being either down 3-2, or having been eliminated. 

   Trotz said of Sorokin that he was "Outstanding, I could use all of the ones you want to write. They all will apply. He was outstanding and he gave us a chance. The first two periods were not pretty and he allowed us to hang around. In the third we got better. In the overtime we got better and then we were able to get a goal. It all goes up front on Ilya. We don't have a chance if he doesn't have an outstanding game in the first two periods for sure."

   Anthony Beauvillier tied the game for the Islanders in the first period, scoring his second goal this playoffs to make it a 1-1 game. In the 3rd, Jordan Eberle tied the game 2-2 with his second of the playoffs 8:50 into the period. Just 51 seconds into double overtime, Bailey intercepted the puck and sent it into the net, giving the Islanders the win.

   For Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin scored on the power play 8:20 into the first period, making it 1-0 Penguins to start. Then, 7:37 into the second, Bryan Rust scored his second goal of the playoffs, sending it past Sorokin and making it a 2-1 lead for the Penguins, before the Islanders eventually came back and won.

   Tristan Jarry started in goal for Pittsburgh, and, despite the fact that a bad clear attempt by him led to Bailey scoring the winner, Jarry put up a valiant effort, saving 25 of 28 shots across all 80:09 of game 5, totaling an .893 save percentage. 

   Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said "I was really proud of the team. I thought we played a really solid hockey game. All four lines were going. All six defensemen. Tristan made a couple of big saves for us throughout the course of the game. I was really proud of the group. I thought we played with some swagger."

   Game 6 is on Wednesday on Long Island, with the Islanders looking to move on to round two, and the Penguins looking to force a game 7.