UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — The New York Islanders are the last team standing in the NHL’s East Division.
The Isles are heading to the Stanley Cup semifinals for the second straight year following a 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins. The Islanders took control with a three-goal second period and earned a semifinal rematch against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The game was tied 1-1 in the second until Brock Nelson scored two straight goals in a 7:19 span. Kyle Palmieri made it 4-1 with a stuff shot against Tuukka (TOO’-kah) Rask, who stopped 23 of 27 shots.
Brad Marchand’s second power-play goal of the night drew the Bruins within 4-2 early in the third, but the Islanders iced it on empty-netters by Cal Clutterbuck and Ryan Pulock.
Travis Zajac (ZAY’-jak) notched his first playoff goal as an Islander, and Semyon Varlamov handled 23 shots.
It’s the second straight series in which the Islanders won the last three games after trailing 2-1.
Photo: Fans watch New York Islanders’ Brock Nelson, second from right celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 6 during an NHL hockey second-round playoff series against the Boston Bruins Wednesday, June 9, 2021, in Uniondale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
