Mat Barzal nets OT winner to give Islanders commanding 3-0 lead over Caps (Video)

With Mat Barzal’s goal, the Isles are one step closer to a first-round series win

Barzal hasn’t always been favored in New York, with headlines just last week reading something along the lines of “Mat Barzal needs to wake up” (we’re not pointing any fingers, but…). Barzal listened, scoring the biggest goal of the Islanders’ season by far, at the same time pushing Barry Trotz’s former team to the brink.

The Caps, nearly two years removed from Stanley Cup glory, now must do the unthinkable and overcome a three games to none deficit. It’s a rare feat, even in hockey.

Barzal flashed exceptional skill to beat Braden Holtby

Trotz and Lou Lamoriello have turned the Isles into one of the most well-balanced teams in hockey. They’ve come a long way after losing John Tavares, who took his talents to Toronto. It was tough to blame Tavares at the time, especially given the Leafs were his favorite team growing up. Playing in Toronto was a dream of his, but Islanders fans took it as a slight, and they have a point. Since then, however, the Isles have seen just as much, if not more, success than their former captain.

Barzal is just one of the young talents the Isles possess, and at just 23 years old he already has a playoff OT winner under his belt. Not bad, kid.