Reactions: New York Islanders sweep Pittsburgh Penguins

Wow does this look different from 2016?

That year, Thomas Greiss was as big as Robin Lehner, and John Tavares was as powerful as Jordan Eberle and Brock Nelson were last week. But there has been something that makes Barry Trotz scoring four lines and that many players clearly understand their assignments in every situation, is different from this series against the Panthers, even if the margins of goals are just as close.

And while that year, I personally felt bad for the Panthers and their fans, there is no remorse for sending the Penguins very quickly and watching their media and fans run the team. (Also: The Islanders are now 4-1 in the playoffs against the Penguins, and the order is restored.)

But each playoff series is different. Each victory has a different sweet taste profile. That one? Rather than removing the monkey and ending the drought since 1993, this is what could be coming this spring and – no matter how the next cycle unfolds – the evolution of the situation for the next few years.

Island News

About last night:

• Sweet, sweet sweep. [LHH | Newsday | Isles | Post]

• Jordan Eberle was the first Islander to score in four consecutive playoff games since … KIP MILLER ?! And the Islanders swept for the first time since they wiped the Oilers for their fourth consecutive Cup. [NHL]

• Now, the islands are a team that nobody wants to face? Well, it's the day after the victory. [Best @ Newsday]
• Jordan Eberle joins Ray Ferraro in the history of the islands. [NYI Skinny]
• There was no update on Cal Clutterbuck or Johnny Boychuk, both of whom left at the end of the second period and did not return. Clutterbuck took an unnamed cut in his hand, Boychuk a block of ball at the bottom of his leg.
• Who is right with Robin Lehner? [Newsday]

Before last night:

• The hero of Games 3 and 4, Brock Nelson, recalled the previous success of the Islanders' playoffs in 2016. [Newsday]

• Ryan Pulock's transformation into an elite defenseman has been enormous.[[[[IF]

• He and Adam Pelech managed to close Sidney Crosby. [Post]

• Robin Lehner has also played a key role. [Newsday]

• And here are five keys heading for game 4. How are they doing? [NHL]
• And how did the Islanders tackle the fourth game? "Quieter than you, man." [Post]
• This young Raleigh Isles fan has Josh Bailey's song downstairs. [Isles]
• Bridgeport then notes that they are preparing for the first game against Hershey on Friday. [Soundin’ Off]

Wow, goalie Mayfield:

Hey, stop that or they'll call … (they did not call a penalty, well, I mean, they did it on Barzal, but …):

How it ended:

Close series? Yes, of course, every game was. But also:

How are you? Like a statue:

You tell them, Robin:

And you, Matty Marts:

Somewhere else

It was not the only sweep last night. As you have surely heard, the historic Lightning has experienced a historic sweep of the first round. This never happened to a winner of the President's trophy. This is also the first victory in the Blue Jackets playoff series, meaning that the 31 franchises have now benefited at least once from the right side of the handshake.

Poor Jon Cooper and the Bolts. Sadness:

• The Blue Jackets adjusted their failure before and chose their poison to slow down the Lightning. [Athletic]
• Meanwhile, in other NHL games, the Jets tied their series at 2-2 with an overtime victory over the Blues and the Knights took a 3-1 lead in their Sharks streak.
• In Chicago, it's already the off season, but they are looking to improve their performance under Jeremy Colliton. [Second City Hockey]
• Alain Vigneault is back in the metropolitan division and Blueshirt Banter has nothing good to say about what the Flyers have in their new coach. [Broad Street Hockey]
• In other news regarding Coach Recycling, Todd McLellan has been named coach of the Kings. [Jewels From The Crown]