The general rule of thumb in a Stanley Cup Playoff series is that each game is its own and there isn't necessarily a carryover from one game to the next. But, given the nature of the Islanders' 5-1 win over Carolina in game three Friday night at UBS Arena, one has to wonder if the Isles have a little extra momentum heading into game four on Sunday afternoon.
With the win, the Islanders cut Carolina's lead in the series to 2-1 as the Isles continued their strong physical play that we saw in games one and two in Carolina. They also broke open a 1-1 game late in the third period with four games in a Stanley Cup Playoff record span of 2 minutes and 18 seconds.
Forward Cal Clutterbuck was quick to shut down any thought that game three would give the Islanders any extra juice for game four.
"You said it in the first part of the question," said Clutterbuck. "Every game is different."
Clutterbuck's thoughts were echoed by Head Coach Lane Lambert.
"I just think every game is on its own regardless," said Lambert. "You win them…you lose them…you keep it even keel and you move onto the next game so that's what's we're going to do. We just have a next game mentality."
But that was not the feeling throughout the entire locker room because there's not much time before that next game, game four, on Sunday afternoon at 1pm.
While it's true that each game of a playoff series is like each chapter of a book, there is the possibility that the Islanders have sent a message to the Hurricanes that maybe the tide has turned in the series.
"I think so," said forward Casey Cizikas who scored the first playoff goal in UBS Arena history in the second period of game three.
"The way that we want to play. The way that we've been taught all season long to play…that's our identity. We've been doing that for three games now to get rewarded is definitely nice. Going into Sunday, we're expecting the same type of game from them and we're going to be ready."
Another school of thought is while there may not be direct momentum from game to the next, the Islanders have maintained a physical nature over the first three games and perhaps that will eventually wear down Carolina.
"We're trying to build momentum throughout the series," said defenseman Ryan Pulock. "Both teams are trying to do that. Obviously, coming off of a win here is big but we regroup here and we get our rest."
There is one aspect of the game three win that will definitely play a role in game four Sunday, at least at the start of the game and that's the fans.
UBS Arena was rocking on Friday night with a capacity crowd of 17,255 and the game three win has certainly rejuvenated the optimism of Islanders Country.
At least that's the feeling of three players who scored in that late third period frenzy.
"We'll reset and we'll get ready and our fans will get ready for game four on Sunday," said forward Kyle Palmieri who broke a 1-1 tie with a tip-in power play goal.
"It's fun to be home," said Captain Anders Lee. "It's fun to be in front of our fans. We can't wait to see them again on Sunday."
"Just an unbelievable atmosphere," said forward Matt Martin.
"We love playing in front of our fans and in this building."
And while it remains to be seen if the result of game three, especially the Islanders' offensive outburst late in the third, will have any carryover to game four, the crowd that will file into UBS Arena on Sunday afternoon will certainly let everyone know who they think has the momentum.
