Match the Islanders’ Intensity
Asking for intensity from a team that is finally returning home- the first time since the epic Game 7 win against the Washington Capitals – might seem like a reach. If you cannot get energized and ready in this situation, both as fan and a player, when can you?
But put yourself in the Islanders’ shoes here; a Game 3 loss basically ends your season. Teams trailing 3-0 in NHL history have only won four times and there is only one example of this in MLB and the NBA combined. History, momentum and basic logic is simply not on your side.
Expect the Islanders to come out with everything they have and simply not be rattled by PNC Arena’s expected energy or the hole they are in. What does this mean for Carolina? Fore-checking, big hits, skating hard and winning puck battles on the boards. Little things curtail opposing intensity and creates your own.
Barry Trotz has already set up a standard for the Islanders coming in to PNC Arena: win both games in Carolina. That will be the only way this Islander team can create any momentum to push this series to 6 or 7 games.
"There's always tests and an unseen hand. It's how you respond. I said to them today, we're going to Carolina to win two games. Plain and simple." -Barry Trotz #Isles pic.twitter.com/JVS8L17THs
— New York Islanders (@NYIslanders) April 29, 2019
The Islanders have their backs to the wall coming in to two games against a team with a very loud fanbase. The trick is to replicate what Columbus did against the Lightning. Use the home ice advantage to push further, not slow down. The Islanders will push hard. It will be critical to push just as hard.