Mathew Barzal of the Islanders reacts with teammates after scoring in the first period in Game 5 of the second round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Bruins at TD Garden on Monday in Boston. Credit: Getty Images/Adam Glanzman
The Islanders still need nine more victories to get to the finish line, but sometimes it is impossible to ignore the hockey gods when they are trying to tell us all something.
Maybe it’s your year when you get dominated by the Bruins early in a playoff road game, yet somehow find a way to win, 5-4, and get within one victory of a return to the NHL’s final four.