Ryan McDonagh’s last-second, spinning backhand shot was denied not by goaltender Semyon Varlamov, but by defenseman Ryan Pulock as the New York Islanders held off the Tampa Bay Lightning to win Game Four of their semifinal series by a 3-2 count.
Josh Bailey, Mathew Barzal and Matt Martin scored in the first period to stake the Islanders to a three-goal lead. Martin eventual game-winning goal was his first of the playoffs. Varlamov finished the tilt with 28 stops.
Brayden Point and Taylor Johnson scored 2:58 apart early in the final frame to make it close.