TAMPA, Fla. — Victor Hedman was second to John Tavares in the 2009 NHL draft but the big Tampa defenseman was second to no one in this Eastern Conference semifinal.
Hedman had two goals in the Game 5 clincher, giving him four goals and four assists in the five-game series. Tavares had a goal and assist in Game 1 but was held scoreless the last four.
“I think you saw him start to play like this last playoff,” said Islanders alternate captain Frans Nielsen. “He’s got the size, but he keeps a really good gap, he knows where to be when he doesn’t have the puck.