Bruises Blades and Blocks, Johnny Boychuk Returns

Johnny Boychuk's first game back in the lineup, was all heart.
The fearless competitor injected the Isles lineup with his steady veteran presence and his infectious commitment to executing Islander hockey. He and his teammates staved off elimination from the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference Final with their
2-1 double-overtime victory
in Game 5.

"Johnny is one of those unique guys that you come across," Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "He's old school, he's one of the most likeable guys that you're ever going to meet, one of the most committed guys. The first shift he blocked two or three shots. He's got welts all over his body. He gives you everything that he has night-in and night-out. He's fearless."
There was no hastiness in Trotz's decision to elect Boychuk to suit up for his first game since Aug. 1. Boychuk was sidelined since Game 1 of the Qualifying Round series against the Florida Panthers, where he was on the receiving end of a high hit that knocked him out early in that game, he was supportive and patient as the Isles rolled with Andy Greene in his place even when he had fully recovered.

The decision to give Boychuk the nod for a do-or-die game in the Eastern Conference Final was calculated and deliberate - as the Isles opted to dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen.
The Islanders needed a warrior. They needed some guts. They needed some contagious energy to embrace the moment.
Boychuk brought just that.
"He brings a presence for us," Ryan Pulock, who scored the Isles' first goal, said. "He goes out there, he blocks shots, he plays tough. We knew when he was getting his opportunity he was going to step in and do his job. Big block early in the kill and just playing hard. That's what we expect from him and that's what he did."
Boychuk sacrificed every inch of his body when in the direct line of fire from Tampa's lethal ambush. In his 12:04, including 1:51 shorthanded, he devoted himself to a team-high six blocks, threw five hits and rattled off two shots.

There was no easing back in for Boychuk. When the Islanders were down a man in the opening five minutes of the first period, the 36-year-old bravely shielded a potent one-timer from Nikita Kucherov at the right faceoff circle straight into the vulnerable pocket of his rib cage. Clearly in pain, he finished his shift and was back out for the next one.
"It's just guys putting their body on the line to win the game," Boychuk said. "You do anything to get the win."
That wasn't the end of Boychuk's eventful first either, as at the end of the period, Boychuk rather humorously lost his skate blade from blocking a shot and required goaltender Semyon Varlamov's aid to steer him back to the Isles bench following a stoppage. The genuine grin that radiated from Boychuk when the camera panned to him on the bench following his whirlwind of a first period back captured his adoring personality.
And while the seasoned pro is accustomed to being a regular in the Islanders lineup, he has gracefully set his individual pride aside throughout this run for the good of the team. Upon recovering from the injury he sustained in Game 1 against Florida, Boychuk shouldered whatever role was needed from him to support his teammates first and foremost.

"He's really a bit of a leader or a father figure for the young guys," Trotz said. "He's always taking care of people. Leadership is not necessarily caring about yourself. It's caring about all of the other people. That's where Johnny is really good. He cares about everybody in that room. He's one of the most likeable guys. He brings a different energy to the room because he's been there, done that. He's been an Islander for a long time. We were hoping that he'd do that tonight and he did."
Boychuk gave everything he had for the Isles in Game 5. In return, the Isles kept their season alive - and potentially gave Boychuk another chance to play.