The New York Islanders are living the dream.
It couldn't have been scripted any better. Down 1-0 in Game 6 at home, John Tavares tied it up with only seconds to play and then won it in double overtime. Tavares, the captain, the franchise, sent New York to the second round for the first time in more than two decades.
It's reality.
"It was fitting," head coach Jack Capuano said after the dramatic win, according to Newsday's Arthur Staple. "(Tavares) gets the tying goal, then the winner on a great individual effort ... This is a resilient group."
The group is led, unquestionably, by Tavares. He beasted just to get the Islanders into the playoffs, in one of the more disappointing statistical seasons of his career. Turns out, he was waiting for the spring. Tavares finishes the first round with five goals and nine points in six games.
"Once he went around the net, I knew it was over," said Kyle Okposo, who's been riding shotgun with Tavares for years, and who assisted on the series clincher. "It was just ... elation. We made three huge plays in the series in OT and the biggest was (Sunday). To do it in front of our fans, play the way we did, I'm extremely proud of our group."
Okposo was drafted by the Islanders in 2006. Tavares in 2009. Travis Hamonic in 2008. Frans Neilsen in 2002. Brock Nelson in 2010. There's been ups, and there's been downs, but there's never been quite a high like this.
"It feels great to do it with these guys," Okposo added. "We grew up here together. To break through that invisible barrier that's been hanging over this franchise for the last 23 years, it's special. But it's also just one chapter in a book we haven't finished yet."
Monday's a new day for Islanders' fans. A beautiful day. And the ride is only beginning. Bring on the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tavares, never the sexiest quote, was straight and to the point after what was arguably the biggest night of his career.
"Great to reward the fans, it's been a long time for them," he said. "A lot of us, we've been here for a while, so it feels good."
The man forever lets his play do the talking, and after Sunday, you have to respect him for it even more.
