Islanders rally late to force game 7

*Photo from the Boston Globe*

Series tied 3-3

   When it appeared that the New York Islanders season was at it's end, they leveled up. Scott Mayfield scored the tying goal, Anthony Beauvillier scored the winning goal, and the Islanders defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in overtime on Wednesday night. 

   Beauvillier said "I honestly kind of blacked out a little bit. They turned the puck over, I think, and then I saw it go in and kind of blacked out. I was just so happy, I was screaming, and everyone kind of jumped on me. Obviously, an amazing feeling and I couldn't be more happy."

   It was the Lightning who jumped out in front first, with Brayden Point scoring 16:02 into the first period, scoring in his 9th straight game, and his 14th goal of the playoffs. 12:36 into the second period, it became 2-0 Lightning when Anthony Cirelli scored his 4th goal of the playoffs.

   Then, the Islanders got back in the game. 14:22 into the second period, Jordan Eberle got the party started with his 4th goal of the playoffs, making it a 2-1 lead for the Lightning at the time. The Islanders tied it up 11:16 into the 3rd period, with Mayfield's second goal of the playoffs. Beauvillier then scored 1:08 into overtime to cap the comeback win.

   It was Semyon Varlamov who got the start for the Islanders, gaining back the net after being pulled in game 5. Varlamov performed well for the Islanders, saving 22 of 24 shots for a .917 save percentage across regulation and the short OT. 

   Varlamov said "It was 2-1 going into third period, so we knew we had a chance to win this game or tie the game in the third period. We came out really hard and we had a really strong third period, a strong forecheck and then that's why I think we scored the goal. We created a lot of scoring chances in the third, and it paid off in the end."

   Lightning captain Steven Stamkos said "Listen, we battled hard. We were short from the beginning. We played a heck of a game to get up 2-0. We knew they were going to push. It's two good teams going at it at the best time of the year. For the most part, I thought we played pretty solid."

   Game 7 will be back in Tampa Bay on Friday night, with a spot in the Stanley cup final on the line.