Sweep-eligible Games 4 are always a fun wild card, because the underdog can be expected to give its best, final death desperate kicks at staving off death. But as soon as any adversity hits, it can be so easy to pack it in. Tonight the Penguins power play or general luck might turn around and give them a feel-good win in front of home fans. Or they could hit another post, face another Lehner wall, and wither in silence. Here’s to rooting on the latter. Leave your First Islanders Goal picks here. Islanders News How have the Islanders pushed the Penguins to this point? I have some thoughts. Also, Barry’s off-day media scrum is therein. [LHH] Despite all that, the Penguins will try to make adjustments, though Mike Sullivan wasn’t about to share them. [NHL] Podcasts? We had podcasts. Dan S. and Mike digested Game 3, the wonder of it all, and more obscure Islanders [Islanders Anxiety] while Noel and Dan P. marvel at eeeeeverything coming up Milhouse. [IslesBuzz] NEW! Ryan Pulock gets a signature Alex Prewitt profile in Sports Illustrated that delves into the defenseman’s summer, personality and the motivation behind him (also, Pulock’s mom sounds awesome). Ryan Pulock gets a signature Alex Prewitt profile in Sports Illustrated that delves into the defenseman’s summer, personality and the motivation behind him (also, Pulock’s mom sounds awesome). NEW! Staple on how the three veteran free agent forwards that few were excited about this summer are helping the Islanders so far this series in spite of what some numbers say. Staple on how the three veteran free agent forwards that few were excited about this summer are helping the Islanders so far this series in spite of what some numbers say. The Islanders know nothing is secured yet, “the fourth one is the toughest,” etc. [Isles | Newsday] Meanwhile the Penguins are saying The Right Things about being able to come back and stuff. [Newsday] But their fans are wondering, what the hell happened to the Penguins? [PensBurgh] And it’s looked like several flaws surfacing. [Athletic] Cal Clutterbuck sounds like he’s been drinking from the Lou “Emotion? What iz it, zis ‘emotion’?” well: “There is no expectation. So the prediction, looking ahead, we find that to be counterintuitive and counterproductive.” [Post] sounds like he’s been drinking from the Lou “Emotion? What iz it, zis ‘emotion’?” well: “There is no expectation. So the prediction, looking ahead, we find that to be counterintuitive and counterproductive.” [Post] PSA: Robin Lehner has been absolutely fiiiiine. [Isles] has been absolutely fiiiiine. [Isles] You, Islanders fan, are instructed that you can dare to dream. [Newsday] Team notes: Scott Mayfield got a maintenance day, and the Isles are suddenly among the top half of teams with odds on a Cup win. [Newsday] got a maintenance day, and the Isles are suddenly among the top half of teams with odds on a Cup win. [Newsday] What’s it like to coach in the playoffs? Barry Trotz and Peter Laviolette, among others, share their experiences. Turn the page from game to game is a big lesson. [Athletic] Prospect Report: Noah Dobson , Arnaud Durandeau , Bode Wilde and Ilya Sorokin are all still in the postseason. [Isles] , , and are all still in the postseason. [Isles] The AHL playoff schedule is set, and the Sound Tigers are preparing for Hershey on Friday. [Soundin’ Off] But they’re not disclosing their lineup just yet. [CT Post] I guess Mike Tirico will call his first NHL playoff game in Game 4. Alas, if Pierre McGuire is there I won’t hear Mike. (“MIKE. YOU’VE ANNOUNCED AT A HIGH LEVEL. SO YOU UNDERSTAND THE POINT I’M ABOUT TO MAKE. BECAUSE WE ARE BOTH ELITE, YOU SEE? I CONDESCENDED TO AJ THE OTHER DAY AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE SHE...”) [Newsday] Assuming they lose, will the Penguins finally break up their core of Cup-winning stars who nonetheless must be crucified because short-term memory? [Post-Gazette] Elsewhere The Predators pulled ahead 2-1 in their series with the Stars, thanks in part to Ben Bishop playing awfully. The Capitals were destroyed by the Hurricanes. Also, Alex Ovechkin fought Andrei Svechkinov and it ended badly for the rookie: Alexander Ovechkin and Andrei Svechnikov got in a pretty nasty fight on the ice @NBCSCapitals pic.twitter.com/UwMpzcWOt9 — SB Nation (@SBNation) April 16, 2019<doc-sep>Lineups The Penguins stick with the same personnel but shuffle the forward lines to put Jared McCann up with the Sidney Crosby / Jake Guentzel line, as well as reuniting Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel. First period Just 35, Pittsburgh strikes with some authority as their first line finally gets a point. After a nice pinch by Kris Letang to keep possession, Crosby finds a wide-open Guentzel with a backhand pass. Guentzel wires a wrist shot short-side past Robin Lehner and PPG Paints explodes with the home team taking an emphatic 1-0 lead. Since @jakenbake20 entered the NHL, no player has more playoff goals. Just sayin'. pic.twitter.com/yIJyhtMjOy — Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 16, 2019 But, as has been a calling card this whole series, once the Pens score a goal it doesn’t take too long for the Islanders to respond in kind. And, of course, it’s Jordan Eberle scoring yet again on a two-on-one as the restul of a bad decision by Letang after pinching. Brian Dumoulin does no favors failing to stop Mathew Barzal’s backhand pass to Eberle, who calmly waits out Matt Murray and fires a shot over his shoulder perfectly to the top corner of the net. 1-1 A poor change results in the first penalty of the game, a too many men on the ice by Pittsburgh. Inexcusable this time of year. Jack Johnson hops over the boards and Erik Gudbranson (who was inching over towards the bench) suddenly turns to stay in the play. Can’t do that and this one is more on Gudbranson to not exit when he saw Johnson get on the ice. Luckily the Pittsburgh PK is strong, with nice work done by Matt Cullen and Bryan Rust keeping the Islanders from getting much going for a while. The Pens get their first power play when Barzal slashes Dumoulin in the shoulder/mouth, drawing some blood from the lip but only getting a two minute call. No shots on the power play and not too much zone time either to melt away a great chance. And it comes back to bite them. The Isles dump the puck in deep and Tom Kuhnhackl checks Marcus Pettersson and collects the puck behind the net. Gudbranson over-commits to help, leaving the front of the net wide open as Brock Nelson cuts in. Josh Bailey is behind the net and hits Nelson with a pass for an easy chip in to give New York the lead at 2-1 with 1:54 left. Shots in the period end up 10-7 for the Pens. Goals are 2-1 NYI though, and this game feels an awwwwful lot like the rest of the series, which is definitely not a great sign through 20. Second period The Pens are still digging but not doing much. Garrett Wilson tips a shot that hits the post. Gudbranson falls into Murray for no reason which isn’t great, Murray slow to pull himself back up. Guentzel draws the second Pittsburgh power play of the game when his old friend Kuhnhackl grabs a hold of him. Crosby with a glorious chance and a wide open net as Phil Kessel gives him a pass but Sid hits the post. Patric Hornqvist is going all out trying to get something going, even tries to get in a fight with the goalie as they keep slashing and pushing each other. Hey, whatever it takes at this point. Somehow the Islanders get a power play after the scrum settles down. Pittsburgh kills the penalty Shots in the second are 14-10 PIT, and 24-17 Pens overall. Still down 2-1 where it counts though with only one period left to save their season. Third period The Isles are shorthanded with Cal Clutterbuck and Johnny Boychuk suffering injuries in the second and not returning for the third. Sullivan has put Dominik Simon up with Guentzel-Crosby and it draws a penalty with Simon feeding Sid for a high danger chance and Ryan Pulock has to take Crosby down. Pens get a third power play. One really good chance but a huge save by defenseman Scott Mayfield who is in the crease and blocks Kessel and Guentzel shots. You just cannot make this up. What a save from Mayfield to deny the Penguins the equalizer pic.twitter.com/KkimjK9aIK — geor mormont (@G_Off817) April 17, 2019 After the penalty expires Nick Bjugstad takes an offensive zone penalty. The Pens kill it off but time is becoming the enemy at this point. Pens pull the goalie, Crosby has a chance to shoot but passes. Zero shots on goal for Crosby in this game. 42 seconds left, the Pens lose an o-zone draw and Josh Bailey outmuscles Kessel and flings a puck 175 feet. Much like NYI the rest of the series, they just can’t miss as it hits the empty net. 3-1. And that will be the curtain on the 2018-19 Pittsburgh Penguins, who stumble out of the playoffs barely knowing what the hell just happened. Some thoughts Fans love to pile onto Letang for ill-advised pinches, but the pinch itself and being aggressive is very much a part of what the Pens want to do. The key is the decision of what happens WHEN he pinches that is what becomes problematic. He probably could have gotten the puck deep (though no forwards were likely to recover it). But he turned it over. for ill-advised pinches, but the pinch itself and being aggressive is very much a part of what the Pens want to do. The key is the decision of what happens WHEN he pinches that is what becomes problematic. He probably could have gotten the puck deep (though no forwards were likely to recover it). But he turned it over. Definitely the best and most inspired start to the game for the Pens of the whole series for the first 5-10 minutes, not that it ended up mattering too much. Shots were 7-1 PIT at one point, but that one for NYI was a goal. Just never could get ahead and stay there or minimize mistakes.<doc-sep>The Islanders beat the Pittsburgh Penguins, 3-1, in Game 4 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series on Tuesday, April 16, 2019, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh. The win gave the Islanders a 4-0 series sweep, their first since the 1983 Stanley Cup Final. The Islanders' Brock Nelson celebrates his goal with Josh Bailey during the first period in Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Jake Guentzel of the Penguins celebrates with Brian Dumoulin after scoring a goal during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Jake Guentzel of the Penguins celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring a goal during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Jordan Eberle of the Islanders scores a goal past Matt Murray of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Jordan Eberle of the Islanders celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Jordan Eberle of the Islanders celebrates with Mathew Barzal after scoring a goal during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Anthony Beauvillier of the Islanders skates with the puck against Jack Johnson of the Penguins during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Brock Nelson of the Islanders celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Penguins at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 16: Anthony Beauvillier #18 of the New York Islanders battles for the puck against Brian Dumoulin #8 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game Four of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) Mathew Barzal of the Islanders battles along the boards with Brian Dumoulin of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins' Jake Guentzel celebrates his goal with Brian Dumoulin during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Islanders' Brock Nelson puts a shot behind Penguins goaltender Matt Murray with Garrett Wilson defending during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins' Bryan Rust can't get to a rebound off Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Islanders' Jordan Eberle puts a shot past Penguins goaltender Matt Murray for a goal during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. Penguins goaltender Matt Murray reaches for a shot during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round against the Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Islanders' Jordan Eberle celebrates with Adam Pelech, center, and Mathew Barzal after scoring against the Penguins during the first period in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Islanders celebrate at the end of Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Islanders celebrate at the end of Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Penguins' Sidney Crosby and the Islanders' Adam Pelech collide during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL first-round hockey series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Penguins' Sidney Crosby can't get a shot past Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner with Ryan Pulock defending during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner celebrates with Valtteri Filppula at the end of Game 4 of the team's NHL first-round playoff series against the Penguins in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Penguins' Patric Hornqvist is separated from Islanders goaltender Robin Lehner by officials, including linesman Jonny Murray, during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Islanders' Josh Bailey celebrates his empty-net goal against the Penguins during the third period in Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The Islanders, right, and the Penguins shake hands after Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019. Anders Lee of the Islanders shakes hands with Jack Johnson of the Pittsburgh Penguins at the conclusion of the Islanders' 3-1 win over the Penguins in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference First Round at PPG PAINTS Arena on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 in Pittsburgh. The Penguins' Sidney Crosby is defended by the Islanders' Adam Pelech and Valtteri Filppula during the second period in Game 4 of an NHL first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, April 16, 2019.<doc-sep>Follow KDKA-TV: Facebook | Twitter PITTSBURGH (AP) – The New York Islanders’ turnaround season is heading to the second round of the playoffs. Jordan Eberle scored for the fourth straight game, Robin Lehner stopped 32 shots and the Islanders finished off Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins with a clinical 3-1 win in Game 4 on Tuesday night to pull off a stunning sweep. Josh Bailey set up Brock Nelson’s go-ahead goal late in the first period and added an empty-net score with 38 seconds remaining as the Islanders easily captured the franchise’s second playoff series victory in 26 years. The Islanders trailed for less than five minutes across four games against the Penguins, whose 13th straight postseason appearance ended quietly. Pittsburgh managed just six goals in the series, including Jake Guentzel’s first of the postseason 35 seconds into the game. It wasn’t nearly enough to stop the Islanders. New York allowed the fewest goals in the league during the regular season, and then backed it up with 12-plus periods of sound hockey that’s quickly become their calling card under first-year coach Barry Trotz, who led the Washington Capitals to the Stanley Cup last season. The Penguins did their best to stay loose while trying to avoid getting swept in the first round for the second time in franchise history. Typically buttoned-down coach Mike Sullivan cracked a joke after Tuesday’s morning skate and did little to tinker with his lineup, adamant Pittsburgh could pick itself up off the mat if it got back to – as Sullivan so often puts it – “playing the right way.” The team that began the playoffs with hopes of capturing its third Stanley Cup in four years looked ready to bounce back. For a couple of minutes anyway. Guentzel found space in the slot and ripped a shot past Lehner 35 seconds into the game for the first goal of the series by Pittsburgh’s top line. The 574th consecutive home sellout crowd buzzed. The Penguins had the momentum and the lead. Just as they did at every critical point during what became a lopsided series, the Islanders responded almost immediately. Penguins defenseman Kris Letang whiffed while trying to pinch into the New York zone, creating a 2-on-1 the other way that Eberle finished to even it at 1 just 1:34 after Guentzel had put Pittsburgh in front. The goal seemed to steady the Islanders, who settled in and kept it simple. New York posted the franchise’s best regular-season record in 35 years by limiting chances and relying heavily on Trotz’s system that preaches pragmatism and patience. The Islanders weathered Pittsburgh’s early push and went ahead with 1:54 to go in the first period when Nelson slipped behind Penguins forward Garrett Wilson and darted to the net. Bailey’s pass from the below the goal line arrived right as Nelson flashed in front of Pittsburgh goaltender Matt Murray. Nelson flicked a shot over Murray’s right pad, and New York was back in control. Another stellar defensive effort and a little bit of puck luck helped. Crosby hit the inside of the left post in the middle of the second period, and Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield bailed out Lehner by making a save with his left leg on a point-blank shot by Phil Kessel early in the third. And that was it. When Bailey’s flip went the length of the ice and into the empty net, the Islanders’ bench erupted and the Penguins trudged toward an offseason that could lead to significant changes. NOTES: Crosby’s assist on Guentzel’s goal moved him past Hall of Famer Steve Yzerman and into 10th place on the NHL’s all-time playoff points list (186). … Pittsburgh went 0 for 3 on the power play and finished 1 for 11 in the series with the man advantage. … The Islanders were 0 for 3 on the power play. … Lehner stopped 135 of the 141 shots he faced in the series. … Murray finished with 23 saves. (© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)<doc-sep>
Who: New York Islanders (3-0) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (0-3, gulp) What: Game 4, first round, 2019 NHL Stanley Cup playoffs When: 7:30 p.m. Eastern How to Watch: AT&T Sportsnet in Pittsburgh, MSG+, NBCSN Nationally in America Series Refresh: Game 1 was a see-saw of the Islanders taking three one-goal leads, and the Penguins forcing a tie three times. Josh Bailey won it in overtime for NYI joining a storied history of Pens’ OT games of this era. Game 2 saw another tight, defensive-minded game go into the third period tied before the Islanders again pulled away to win. Game 3 saw a slumping amount of sadness as the Pens kept playing worse, falling 4-1. SBN Team Counterpart: Lighthouse Hockey Possible Lines Anders Lee - Mathew Barzal - Jordan Eberle Josh Bailey - Brock Nelson - Tom Kuhnhackl Anthony Beauvillier - Valtteri Filppula - Leo Komarov Matt Martin - Casey Cizikas - Cal Clutterbuck Adam Pelech / Ryan Pulock Nick Leddy / Scott Mayfield Devon Toews / Johnny Boychuk Starting goalie: Robin Lehner —No changes from the first three games expected for the Islanders, and why would there be? Their defensive systems are working to frustrate the Pens, and their top forwards are scoring goals at key times. Eberle making the difference LHH focused on what the Islanders have done to frustrate the Pens, and the success of Jordan Eberle (a goal in all three games of the series so far) has been chief on the list. Quite clearly, Barzal’s creativity helps unlocks Eberle, and Eberle has an ample supply of magic in his own right that allows Barzal an outlet. Now at the most important time of year, that creativity has been unleashed without sacrificing defensive reliability. So Eberle’s first goal got things started in Game 1, followed by his power play assist to Brock Nelson. His dancing dash goal was the winner in Game 2, and his unreal sharp-angle shot — he called it, waving to Ryan Pulock for a pass to the goal line — tied the game and kept the Penguins from feeling good about themselves in Game 3. Eberle has five points (3 goals + 2 assists) in the three games of the series. Barzal has four assists. Those two being the dominant offensive duo and not Crosby+Guentzel has really been a major difference in the games of this series. And now for the Pens.. Trivia nuggets Be the smartest of your friends by sharing some of these tidbits (courtesy Penguins PR): Pittsburgh aims to keep the series alive with a victory tonight. This is the sixth time in club history that the Pens have trailed 0-3 in a series. They’ve been able to extend the series to at least a fifth game in two of the past three instances (2012 and 1997 both vs. Philadelphia). The Penguins are 17-7 all-time under head coach Mike Sullivan in the playoffs following a loss (7-1 in 2016; 7-2 in 2017; 3-2 in 2018; 0-2 in 2019). Penguins goaltender Matt Murray is 11-5 all-time in the playoffs following a loss. in the playoffs following a loss (7-1 in 2016; 7-2 in 2017; 3-2 in 2018; 0-2 in 2019). Penguins goaltender is 11-5 all-time in the playoffs following a loss. The Penguins’ lone tally in Game 3 resulted in a pair of players establishing NHL playoff firsts. Garrett Wilson scored the goal on a deflection in the slot. It was the first NHL playoff goal of his career. He tipped the point shot from Marcus Pettersson . That helper was the first NHL playoff point/assist of Pettersson’s career. scored the goal on a deflection in the slot. It was the first NHL playoff goal of his career. He tipped the point shot from . That helper was the first NHL playoff point/assist of Pettersson’s career. Jared McCann returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 with an upper-body injury. McCann was a literal game-time decision, not getting the go-ahead to re-join the lineup until minutes before puck drop. returned to the lineup after missing Game 2 with an upper-body injury. McCann was a literal game-time decision, not getting the go-ahead to re-join the lineup until minutes before puck drop. The Penguins killed off a 5-on-3 disadvantage for the second-consecutive game. In Game 3, the Pens killed off a 53-second two-man advantage for the Isles.