Islanders Embracing Game 7 Moment

Barry Trotz has talked extensively about moments during the New York Islanders playoff run. Mainly how they are to be enjoyed, as the nights filled with playoff magic are few and fleeting in the grand scheme, but are the ones that will be remembered years from now.
Anthony Beauvillier's OT winner on Wednesday night was the latest moment in a playoff run that's featured plenty of them now. It hit the senses in a visceral way, from the deafening roar of the Nassau Coliseum crowd to the smell of beer that rained down from the stands with joy.

Beauvillier's goal capped a dramatic comeback for the Islanders, who kept their season alive to force a Game 7 in Tampa on Friday night. Beauvillier's moment stood on the shoulders of the ones before it, like Ryan Pulock's last-second block to save Game 4, the Islanders decisive Game 6 clincher over Boston, or Josh Bailey's Game 5 OT winner over Pittsburgh.
Because of that, the Islanders have a chance to make another moment on Friday night and punch their ticket to the franchise's first Stanley Cup Final since 1984.
"These are great moments," Trotz said after Game 6. "Coming off the ice and everybody's hugging each other and there's beer cans flying all over. It's quite a sight. It's a moment that you'll remember. These are big moments and great memories to have. But we've gotta get another one."

Game 7 against Tampa marks the furthest the Islanders have been since the 1984 Final, the most important game for the franchise in over 35 years. It also represents another step forward for an Islanders team who has grown leaps and bounds over the past three seasons. The Islanders have used mountain climbing metaphors to describe the playoff experience and on Wednesday, they officially reached a higher altitude than last year. For a group that's learned to love the climb, a path to the summit is now in sight.
Trotz wants his team focused on enjoying and seizing the opportunity in front of them in Game 7. Prior to Wednesday, the Islanders coach said all of his players would have signed up for a chance to play in a semifinal Game 6 at the beginning of the season. That surely would be double for Game 7 and a trip to the final on the line.
"You get to a Game 7 and you know what's at stake," Trotz said. "You play all year to get to this point. You get one opportunity and it'll be there, so stay in the moment, enjoy it, embrace it and don't get small. Don't get wound up, just stay in the moment, stay calm and give your best effort."

Beauvillier, who writes Have Fun on his stick as a daily reminder, seemed to heed that message in the wake of Game 6.
"It's a privilege to still be playing at this time of the year," Beauvillier said. "Obviously it's exciting As a kid, you try to imagine yourself going to Game 7, having a good game and having good moments with your teammates. I think we've earned the right to go back and play a Game 7. It's going to be a lot of fun and a big opportunity for us."
Game 7 kicks off at 8 p.m. on Friday in Tampa. The Islanders are hoping to make it memorable.