Game 4 Preview: Islanders vs. Penguins

GAME 4: ISLANDERS VS PENGUINS
PITTSBURGH LEADS BEST-OF-SEVEN SERIES 2-1
3 PM | NASSAU COLISEUM
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There was a lot to like about the New York Islanders' performance in Game 3, except the 5-4 result, which prompted the Pittsburgh Penguins to gain a 2-1 lead in their First Round playoff series.

In a game where the Islanders relentlessly tied the score on three separate occasions, the momentum swings were like whiplash and the atmosphere at the Coliseum, with 6,800 fans in attendance, was galvanizing. The intensity exploded at one point in the third period as all five skaters from both teams occupied the penalty box.
It was a roller coaster of emotions," Jordan Eberle said. You tie it, they score, you tie it, they score. It's one that definitely hurts a bit, but it's playoff hockey. There's going to be highs and lows and the key is just to stay in the moment."
The Islanders received a two-goal game from Cal Clutterbuck, a three-point night for Scott Mayfield (1G, 2A), and a power-play strike for Anthony Beauvillier. Semyon Varlamov made 22 saves on 27 shots in the loss and in what Islanders Head Coach Barry Trotz noted 'wasn't his game.'
Brandon Tanev scored Pittsburgh's game winner with 3:36 left in the third period, while Jeff Carter scored twice - including once on the power play - Jason Zucker found the back of the net and Kris Letang also chipped in. Tristan Jarry made 26 saves on 30 shots in the win.
While the Islanders have now lost two-straight games in the series to the Penguins, they felt they established a promising foundation to build off of as they host Pittsburgh for Game 4 on Saturday at 3 p.m.

GET TO GAME EARLY

A narrative for the Islanders throughout the series has been having to chase the game. The Islanders scored first in their 4-3 overtime victory in Game 1, but have been trailing the Pens right off the bat in Games 2 and 3.
A key for the group heading into Game 4 is to set the tone early and put the Penguins in a position to be the ones chasing the game.
As a group, we've seen the things that have helped us become successful and [have found] ways that have helped us put the puck in the net," Kyle Palmieri said. We've got to get to that early and try and find a way to play with a lead... For the most part, we've been able to get to our game. Obviously, you want to do it from the drop of the puck, but it's something that we'll be ready to go for Saturday's game."
But just as the Islanders experienced in Game 3, it's just as important to sustain that momentum and dominant play as it is to establish it. Despite tying the score on three separate occasions, Pittsburgh has been assertive in regaining momentum and control of the games.
We've been chasing the series, the whole time," Trotz said. When you do that, you leave yourself exposed because you're pushing a little harder in some areas. At the same time, we can tighten up some stuff.
"But they didn't have much," Trotz continued. "We had lots of opportunities, we missed the net a few times, we didn't execute some of our plays and we didn't score, but we got four goals. Usually, for Islander hockey, four goals you want to win a hockey game. We can tighten up a couple of things, but we're not having problems scoring other than Game 2. We've been able to get three or four goals each game and that should be enough for us to get a victory in playoff hockey."

CONTINUE TO EMBRACE THE FIGHT

The Islanders have made it be known that this will be a hard-hitting, physical series right from Game 1, as they've out-hit the Pens 164-113 through three games. As tensions boiled over between two teams - who 'don't like each other' according to Trotz - after-the-whistle scrums ensued including an entire line brawl in the third period of Game 3. But the Islanders haven't backed down.
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While Game 3 didn't end in favor of the Islanders, their intensity - backed by the roaring support from the fans - was overbearing enough and was successful in deterring Pittsburgh from its game at times.
So even with the Islanders down 2-1 in the series, they're framing their mindset to approach Game 4 with the intention of evening the series back up and deflating any momentum Pittsburgh may have.
What you find with athletes, the harder the game and the more emotion that are part of it, they embrace that," Trotz said. Those are the fun games. The games that aren't fun are the ones where there's no emotion and you're just playing. As an athlete you would enjoy that game. I enjoyed that game - I didn't like the result - but I enjoyed that game."

CROWD FACTOR

The Blue and Orange faithful were loud and proud in Game 3. The Coliseum was back to its electric self as 6,800 fans - just under 50% capacity - rocked the stands and provided an atmosphere that bolstered some great stretches of momentum for the Islanders.
It was the first playoff game back at the Coliseum in two years and marked the last postseason run the 'Old Barn' will house before the Islanders transition to their new home at UBS Arena. The fan support didn't go unnoticed or under-appreciated by the Islanders or coaching staff and Trotz even offered a message to fans in his availability on Friday afternoon for the Islanders faithful to keep it coming for Game 4.
"It felt normal, it felt like the Coliseum was back to being normal," Trotz said. It was great, the atmosphere. There's something about that arena, something about that crowd that translates. Even when I went home and was doing some work, they started replaying the game and there is something that it translates on TV well. It really translates live, which we can feel that energy. We're going to need that crowd [in Game 4]. If they can even get it to another level, we'd appreciate that. We're going to try and leave our best out there."

PENGUINS NOTES:

• The Penguins received full attendance at their practice on Friday afternoon and used the same lines and defensive pairs as they used in Game 3.
• Evgeni Malkin made his debut in the series in Game 3 after missing Games 1 and 2 with an undisclosed injury. The veteran centered a line between Jason Zucker and Kasperi Kapanen where he posted an assist on Zucker's second-period goal.