TAMPA — Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello added defenseman Andy Greene at the trade deadline in 2020 and then acquired winger Travis Zajac this year. Those deals were not just about depth, but also about experience.
Both players have spent a majority of their NHL careers with the Devils, with Greene accumulating 39 games of playoff experience in 14 years and Zajac skating in 46 postseason contests in 15 years. When the Devils reached the 2012 Stanley Cup final, Greene and Zajac were both part of the postseason run that fell short when they lost in six games to the Kings.
Zajac scored seven goals and dished out seven assists for the Devils in 24 playoff games in 2012, while Greene recorded one assist over the same span. It was clear to Lamoriello that those two would bring invaluable experience to the Islanders’ roster.
Plus, joining the Islanders meant another crack at another meaningful playoff run or two for Zajac and Greene.
“You have to really make sure you enjoy these moments because you never know,” Greene said Friday morning ahead of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals against the Lightning. “Obviously, after 2012, you think you’ll get there right again but you never know what’s going to happen.”
As part of the Islanders’ third defensive pairing with Noah Dobson, Greene had one assist in 18 playoff games this season. The 38-year-old, who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer when his one-year deal of $700,000 expires, has been a veteran presence on the back end, balancing out Dobson’s youth.
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Since Oliver Wahlstrom suffered a lower-body injury in Game 6 of the first-round series against the Penguins, Zajac has stepped into the rookie’s spot on the third line and has recorded a goal and an assist in 13 games this postseason.
“I’m definitely not taking it for granted,” Zajac said during the second round. “It’s been a great experience so far and you want to keep it going. It’s great group of guys. It’s a team that they all enjoy each other’s company, being around together and they do things the right way, so it’s been fun to be a part of.”
Friday night marks just the second time in franchise history the Islanders will play a Game 7 in the semifinal round. The last one came in 1975 against the Flyers. It is also the 10th Game 7 for the Islanders and the ninth that will be played on the road.
Heading into Friday’s contest, the Islanders were 4-5 all-time in Game 7s, including 4-4 on the road.
Anthony Beauvillier’s overtime winner Wednesday night was the first career playoff OT goal of the second-line winger’s career. It was also his fourth game-winner over the past two postseasons.
Prior to Game 7, the 24-year-old was tied for second in points (13) and fifth in goals (5) for the Islanders.