Islanders top 5 highlights against Florida Panther this season

Look back at some of the best New York Islanders moments against the Florida Panthers from this season.

In two weeks the New York Islanders will take the ice in Toronto to face the Florida Panthers in their first competitive games since March 10. It’s been a long wait and we’re all excited to see hockey on our TVs again.

First up in the Islanders quest for a fifth Stanley Cup are the Florida Panthers in the qualifying round. A team they bested three times this season.

On October 12, the Isles won 3-2 in a shootout against the Panthers. That win started a franchise-record 17-game point-streak that established the team as one of the better outfits in the NHL. Then followed a 2-1 win on November 9 and a 3-1 win on December 12.

Rather than just reminisce about the scores, here are five highlights from those wins against the Cats to put you back in the mood for Islanders hockey.

5. Jordan Eberle da Goalie

There isn’t much better than a big timely save from your goalie. Except for maybe when a forward is between the pipes and selflessly stands in front of a shot to bail out his team.

On November 9, with the Isles up 1-0, Jordan Eberle did just that stop an easy goal for Brett Connolly.

4. Empty Netter

Empty net goals never make the highlights reel. For good reason, there isn’t a goalie between the pipes to stop the shot. But on December 12, Anders Lee scored one that deserves some love. Watch.

The sheer will and tenacity by the Isles captain here is incredible. Lee isn’t known for his quick feet, but here he blows by Aaron Ekblad to get his goal. Sure, the goal itself was a tap in, but the work Lee put it to get that tap in was a text-book example on why you never give up on a play.

3. In Step

Josh Bailey, Jordan Eberle, and Mathew Barzal play tic-tac-toe on the power play for a pretty, pretty goal.

2. Barzal Patience

You’ve likely seen this goal already. For good reason, it’s absolutely gorgeous.

Barzal could have just tried his luck by quickly shooting the puck on net. But he knew his body angle wasn’t right to get a one-timer off. So instead of just tossing a random shot at the net, he was patient and opened up the defense and the goaltender before firing a backhand to the toy department.

1. Greiss Stop

I started with a big save and I’ll end it with one as well.

With the score 2-1 for the Islanders and Florida pressing for the equalizer to force OT, Thomas Greiss pulls out an incredible stop on Brett Connolly alone on the doorstep.

Greiss had no business making that stop. I’m sure Connolly believed he’d get an easy goal here and tie the game.

Three minutes later, Anders Lee would race up the ice and pop in an empty netter for the 3-1 win. If not for Thomas Greiss, this one goes to OT and who knows what the outcome might be.