The Islanders are getting set for a familiar, yet undesired obstacle: pick up a win on their home ice or face a 3-1 series deficit.
New York has dropped three straight game threes this postseason, falling behind 2-1 every time, the latest to the defending champion Lightning after a 2-1 loss at Nassau Coliseum in game three. All three losses in game three have come by one goal, but so far, each loss has been followed by a victory.
The Islanders will try to make history repeat itself once again on Saturday, with head coach Barry Trotz reminding his group that the series is far from over.
“He’s been pretty clear about just chipping away,” Kyle Palmieri said on Saturday. “We’ve been prepared for a long series since we started. It’s no different. We’re going up against the defending Stanley Cup champions. We knew it was going to be a tough series, but we have a chance at home to even it up, so that’s all we’re looking to do.”
Of course, the Islanders can’t just rely on recent history to pick up another crucial game four win. Adjustments have to be made if the defending champs are to be toppled, and it may have to start with the team’s second line of Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Nelson and Josh Bailey, which has been kept in check this series, especially in game three.
“We just gotta get harder in the inside, and with Nelson’s line, they just have to get to the net,” Trotz said.” Plain and simple…there’s not much room, they get hard matchups, but you have to battle through it.”
But as the team has shown an ability to improve as each series has gone on, Trotz expects the same from his second line, starting in game four.
“If you look back at the Pittsburgh series and the Boston series, there were times where you’ve asked me the same question, ‘do you need more from them?’ And they delivered,” Trotz said. “So I expect them to deliver in this series.
“This series is not over. In a lot of ways to me, it’s just getting started.”
As for any potential line changes, like the potential inclusion of the now healthy Oliver Wahlstrom, Trotz said that won’t be revealed until it’s time to take the ice.
“No, you’re gonna have to watch the game,” Trotz said. “They’re all available, if that’s what you mean.”
Follow Ryan Chichester on Twitter: @ryanchichester1
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