Jordan Eberle shone for the New York Islanders in a stunning sweep of the Pittsburgh Penguins that took everyone by surprise.
The New York Islanders are for real. Despite their higher seed, the Isles were seen as underdogs against the Pittsburgh Penguins. No one expected the pesky Isles to sweep the squad with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
However, the Islanders shocked the Penguins in four games. Jordan Eberle was on WFAN’s “Joe and Evan” on Wednesday to discuss the lopsided series.
“To win in four – I think we probably shocked everyone a little bit,” Eberle said. “I think everybody had us pegged to be the underdogs. We had confidence in our team. There’s a reason why we finished like we did. We went in and we played our game – and we’ve got to keep doing that.”
Eberle led the way for New York in the first round scoring four goals and dishing out two assists. The forward came up with timely goals and his skill was on full display.
Although Eberle has looked like an absolute beast in these Stanley Cup Playoffs, that hasn’t always been the case. In 13 career playoff games with the Edmonton Oilers, Eberle only registered two assists and failed to score a single goal.
“I think it was disappointing last time,” Eberle said. “I waited seven years to get in and finally did. I actually had a good first round. I know I didn’t score, but I played well and my line played well. The second round didn’t go the way that I wanted it to. It was an experience and I kind of use that now to move forward. I took a lot of bad heat in Edmonton for the way that I played. Rightfully so. I didn’t play well. It might have cost me getting traded – but it all worked out.”
The trade has certainly benefited the Isles. Eberle has shed any notion that he doesn’t perform in the playoffs, but the Isles aren’t going to surprise anyone moving forward.
Eberle and the Isles are forced to sit tight until the Washington Capitals-Carolina Hurricanes series is over. The Capitals currently hold a 2-1 series lead over the Hurricanes.