The 5 Hole: Down in the Pitts/Brooklyn Beatdown

With just six games left, and the playoffs within their grasp, the Islanders took to the ice Saturday to for a potential first round preview against a familiar foe. That foe, the scorching Pittsburgh Penguins. After losing Travis Hamonic yesterday, the Isles really needed to take care of business after being once again faced with adversity. In what was regarded as the biggest game of the season, as they all are right now, the blue and orange were smoked 5-0 by the Penguins. They’re back on the ice Monday against Tampa Bay. Recap below.

Playoff game right here. #isles

— Kevin Cosgrove (@kcos194) April 2, 2016

Please tell me our fans at least showed respect to Ray Pfeifer? #Isles

— Shane Blackburn (@DumpandChase80) April 2, 2016

I honked. Puck got scared and hit post #isles

— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) April 2, 2016

Shaky start…shaky shaky. #Isles

— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) April 2, 2016

All eyes on #Isles defensemen today, not just Zidlicky. Each player has to play a bigger role and more minutes to replace Hamonic.

— Brad Kurtzberg (@sealshockey) April 2, 2016

Brock Nelson is on my radar all game. Raise your level. #Isles

— Alan Hahn (@alanhahn) April 2, 2016

Crosby to box!! I beLIeve in miracles #isles

— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) April 2, 2016

Berube looks sharp so far. #Isles

— Frank Alvarez (@fjalvarez10) April 2, 2016

1st goal is huge, big power play coming up for #isles

— Jay Nichols (@jaynichols11) April 2, 2016

Ok-POST-ko. Sigh. #isles

— Josh (@YankeeJosh) April 2, 2016

Oh so this is how this afternoon's gonna go, huh? ? #Isles

— Brittany (@applesiderr) April 2, 2016

I seriously got nothing for that one

— Dan Petriw (@DanDanNoodles78) April 2, 2016

Of course that was his 1st NHL goal why wouldn't it be? #Isles

— Shane Blackburn (@DumpandChase80) April 2, 2016

That seems like the isles in a nutshell since like January. Guys standing around, expecting other guy to do something. Never ready.

— Rookie Example (@KeithLHHockey) April 2, 2016

Team really hasn't done anything wrong aside from that gaffe. #Isles

— Alex Soti (@Ajsoti) April 2, 2016

Matt Martin just got a penalty for essentially hitting a guy too hard. #Isles

— Mike T. (@mtrico) April 2, 2016

Rick Dipietro's in goal today.#isles

— The Pecahead (@streethockeyguy) April 2, 2016

Hey Ian Cole, don't talk the talk if you can't walk the walk. There's your spark, #Isles fans.

— Joe Pantorno (@JoePantorno) April 2, 2016

In-gm #skinny Matt Martin now tied for #NHL lead in fights (11) #isles

— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) April 2, 2016

If DP sat down in my chair, he'd disappear #isles pic.twitter.com/w82VBV3R5E

— Kevin Carney (@kevinmcarney) April 2, 2016

penguins twitter super salty martin embarrassed cole. #isles

— kristine (@miss__scarlet) April 2, 2016

Not a coincidence that the puck "finds" Tavares so often in the offensive zone. 2 more good chances on that last shift. #Isles

— Brad Kurtzberg (@sealshockey) April 2, 2016

Letang is such a tool #isles pic.twitter.com/2IKdMqeDO2

— YeSUV (@IslesWhiteSUV) April 2, 2016

Special teams winning this game #isles

— Cyndy (@CSalt15) April 2, 2016

#Isles pic.twitter.com/De8L3sArdC

— Canadian Hoser (@Canadian_Hoser) April 2, 2016

Better job getting to front. Gotta do this the rest of the game. #isles

— Michael Schuerlein (@islesblogger) April 2, 2016

It would be nice is the #Isles stopped sucking today.

— Brando (@BelBivBrando) April 2, 2016

The #Isles reaction to day games. pic.twitter.com/xPzVBf3b91

— Bald Elvis (@ElvisCage) April 2, 2016

Cappy wanted experience out there today, we've all experienced this game before #isles

— Noel Fogelman (@thefirstnoel19) April 2, 2016

Yup. Those wings are definitely souring in my stomach now. Thanks guys. #isles pic.twitter.com/5uG4xvD5kM

— Mike Canteros (@MikeyMike81) April 2, 2016

Not even watching the game stuck at work and I am pissed #isles

— RobF (@bobbybows) April 2, 2016

I lied. I have this to say. #isles pic.twitter.com/1yT4pDolfx

— Michael Schuerlein (@islesblogger) April 2, 2016

Typical #Pens #Isles game. https://t.co/rkaoz09TJX pic.twitter.com/K0xr6mnCOK

— Leslie McIntire (@PghRunner74) April 2, 2016

JF Bedoodie right now. ?? #Isles

— Hockey Ranter (@HockeyRanter) April 2, 2016

Any goalies out there #Isles can sign off the couch Vinny Testeverde-style? Ricky? Osgood? Dubielewicz? Only a little serious but my God.

— Brian Schiazza (@brianschiazza) April 2, 2016

#isles pic.twitter.com/HHQ0B7CyM3

— Jonathan (@NatFan9) April 2, 2016

We could miraculously go to the cup final and I'd still want management to get fired. #isles

— Anthony McCarthy (@Ant_McCarthy) April 2, 2016

On my way to do our taxes. So apparently I'm about to have as much fun as I was having watching the #isles

— Kevin Rogers (@KevinRogers98) April 2, 2016

UGH this game Sorry #isles … pic.twitter.com/GcIZ6ITeSn

— Daisygirl (@Daisygirl21055) April 2, 2016

Can we at least score a dignity goal? #isles

— thereluctantk (@thereluctantk) April 2, 2016

#isles #disgrace with so much on the line pic.twitter.com/GroTRnaDqp

— Terry Meade (@ttss11) April 2, 2016

Don't want to hear about the injuries. Doesn't excuse effort. #Isles

— Brian Compton (@BComptonNHL) April 2, 2016

Where’s the “playoff offense” in basically a playoff game? Embarrassing display. #Isles

— Jeff Capellini (@GreenLanternJet) April 2, 2016

The #Isles embarrassed themselves today. They deserved everything they had coming to them

— Rob Taub (@RTaub_) April 2, 2016