Islanders all-time playoff history against Penguins

2012-13: Round 1

Result: 4-2 series loss
Islanders top scorer: John Tavares & Mark Streit (5 points)

For the first time in six years, the New York Islanders made the playoffs. They hadn’t been to the postseason since 2006-07 when they got bounced in five games by the Sabres.

They made it to the postseason, but barely. With 55 points the Isles were the eighth seed in the East. A strong April where they went 8-1-4 helped them capture the finals spot in the East by four points over the Winnipeg Jets.

The Penguins finished first in the East – and second in the NHL – with 72 points. If that point total sounds low to you remember that 2012-13 was the lockout-shortened year. Teams only played 48 games that year.

Much like 1992-93, expectations were low for the Islanders in this series. And look, a 5-0 loss in Game 1 did little to change those expectations. But the Isles, to their credit, hung in there against the Penguins.

Through the next five games, the Isles picked up two wins and pushed the Penguins to OT twice with a 5-4 OT loss in Game 3 and a 4-3 OT loss Game 6. And honestly, the game tieing goal in Game 6 shouldn’t have happened. At all.

I know I should get over these things after eight years, but I just can’t. The Penguins should have been given a tripping call on this play seconds before Paul Martin ties it up. Going on the power play for two minutes could have totally changed this game with the Islanders already ahead 3-2.

Again, this shouldn’t bug me anymore. But just watching the replay again brought back that long-buried anger.

This series remains the only time the Islanders have lost to the Penguins in the postseason.