To a man, the Islanders still have to be fuming following Wednesday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Hurricanes in game two. Now in a 2-0 series hole, the Islanders are back home on Long Island and, at least publicly, their sticking to the focus and the outlook that made them successful during the 2020 and 2021 playoff runs.
There's no looking back…just look ahead.
"You just move on," said head coach Lane Lambert. There's no point in dwelling on it. We know what happened and we just move on and get ready for the next game. That's our focus right now.
Deep down inside, the Islanders know that an opportunity got away from them on Wednesday night, but there seems to be no lingering levels of frustrating.
At least not publicly.
"None at all," said Islanders forward Kyle Palmieri. "At the end of the day, we came in [Thursday] morning and we're preparing ourselves for game three. That's really it."
The Islanders could not hold a 3-2 third period lead on Wednesday night in a game that saw the Hurricanes get six power play attempts while the Islanders had none. Adding to that frustration, there was no call made in overtime when Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield was on the receiving end of a blatant high stick.
Moments later, Jesper Fast scored the game winning goal.
"It happens," said Mayfield. "It's part of hockey. It is what it is. It's all about [Friday] now."
And with Friday comes game three and the Islanders' first ever playoff game at their new home UBS Arena. There were many great moments at the Isles' longtime home Nassau Coliseum and a few at their temporary home Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
And now, the chance for Islanders Country to try and blow the roof of the new place.
"It will be emotional," said Palmieri. "It will be a lot of fun. It's going to be loud. A lot of guys are still here from the run a couple of years ago and we're looking forward to it."
There are some things that fans need to know before heading to UBS Arena on Friday night.
If you don't have a prepaid parking pass, parking will be available for $40 in the Emerald Lot.
Just like the regular season, the Long Island Railroad will have extra unscheduled trains servicing the Elmont/UBS Arena station.
And the festivities for game three on Friday night begins with a Plaza Party presented by Heineken from 4pm to 615pm.
There will be 20% off of all food and beverage, including $7.99 Heinekens and $4.99 hot dogs and pretzels. The Islanders in-game host Ria will be the DJ and there will also be activities like lawn games and the slap shot game as well as the opportunity to make posters.
And then from 5pm to 6pm, Islanders legend Bobby Nystrom will be on the plaza for a meet and greet with fans.
Once inside the building for the 7pm puck drop, Islanders fans will try and give their team a lift as the Isles hope to get back into this series.
"I expect it to be loud," said Mayfield. "The coli was loud. I don't know if they can get it to the same level but that would be nice. It was a fun place to play for sure so we'll see what it's like (Friday) night."
The Islanders' first home playoff game at "The Barn" was in 1975 against the Rangers and their inaugural post-season contest in Brooklyn was against the Panthers in 2016.
On Friday night, the next chapter of Islanders playoff history begins at Belmont Park.
"I think it means a lot," said Lambert. "It's a pretty cool thing that's going to happen. There's been some amazing playoff games in the other building and this is the first one of many."
The Islanders and their fans endured a decades-long quest for a state-of-the-art new home on Long Island, and that dream was realized in November of 2022 when UBS Arena opened its doors for the first time. After not making the playoffs last season, the Islanders are now ready for the first Stanley Cup Playoff games in their new home.
And that new home is ready for Islanders Country to try and blow the roof off the place.
