Islanders' Ryan Pulock makes last-second save to even series with Lightning
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — With their Stanley Cup dreams on the line, Ryan Pulock kept the Islanders’ hopes alive.
New York was up by a goal with about 2 1/2 seconds left in the third period Saturday when Lightning defenseman Ryan McDonagh made a spin move that not only took Brock Nelson out of the play but also netminder Semyon Varlamov. That’s where the blueliner Pulock came in.
McDonagh had a wide-open net — until the 26-year-old Pulock slid through the crease and made the save that not only solidified the Islanders’ 3-2 win in Game 4 but also most likely saved the Isles’ season. The best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals series is now tied 2-2.
For about the final two minutes and 30 seconds of the contest, not a soul was sitting in the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum as the home team nursed a one-goal lead. They chanted “Let’s Go Islanders” and went wild when Victor Hedman was called for tripping Cal Clutterbuck with 72 seconds left. But going down a man didn’t stop the uber-talented Lightning.
And then, everyone held their breath as McDonagh began his spin-o-rama in the slot.
