Islanders Blow two 2-goal leads, Capitals even the Series at 1-1

from ottawasun.com

For a period and a half, the Islanders were on their way to a commanding 2-0 series lead headed back to Long Island which would have all but buried Washington.

But sloppy and lazy play by New York turned this back into a series.

Certainly, you must give credit to the Capitals who from the 10-minute mark of the second period on played head-and shoulders above the Islanders spending the overwhelming majority of the first half in the Islander end and did not quit despite finding themselves down after 2 periods 3-2.

However, the fault really does lie with New York.

New York was simply unwilling or unable to match the intensity that Washington displayed and that is what is unacceptable.

A clear example of this was displayed by coach Jack Capuono who called a timeout with his team reeling, Capuono called timeout and screamed at his players in a manner in which he hasn’t all season.

It was obvious his young bunch was being overwhelmed by the moment.

The timeout did not stop the onslaught.

Washington kept pressuring the Islanders who broke sticks all night, didn’t react well to stress, gave the puck away inordinately and allowed goal after goal as the Capitals stormed back to win it 4-3.

The Islanders will need to be more prepared Sunday afternoon.  This is playoff hockey, it’s time for New York to start acting like it.