Mathew Barzal #13 of the Islanders is defended by Jonas Siegenthaler #34 of the Washington Capitals during the first period in Game 4 at Scotiabank Arena on August 18, 2020 in Toronto. Credit: Getty Images/Elsa
It was all smiles for Mathew Barzal when he finished off a give-and-go with Nick Leddy, popping it up, off the arm of Washington goaltender Braden Holtby and in for his second goal of the series Tuesday night in Toronto. Halfway through the first period of Game 4 in the Islanders’ first-round series against the Washington Capitals, everything was going their way.
Up three games to none, and looking for a sweep, Barzal’s goal had put them ahead by two goals, and a frustrated Todd Reirden, the Capitals coach, had called his timeout, to yell at his troops and try to wake them up.