Semyon Varlamov of the Islanders is consoled by Andy Greene after the team's 2-1 overtime loss to the Lightning in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta, on Thursday night. Credit: Getty Images/Bruce Bennett
New York has not celebrated a major pro sports championship in 8½ years, so these sorts of day-after wrap-up stories are old hat for fans and sportswriters alike.
But this one is different, because everything about 2020 is different, and the Islanders’ summer to remember was no exception.
To get the normal part out of the way first:
The Islanders and their fans have every right to be proud of their playoff run, and every right to be disappointed that it ended six victories short of a Stanley Cup on Thursday night with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Lightning.