It may seem like it, but, really, it's not over for the Islanders.
As deflating as the 5-2 loss was in Game Four, there's still life in Lane Lambert's hockey club; and a bit of precedent, too.
If the Islanders have proven anything this season it's that the Nassaumen have rebound-ability. We saw that in January when the club had an abysmal 4-8-3 record and appeared impossibly out of a playoff berth.
The injury to crack defenseman Adam Pelech merely confirmed that things were bad and possibly would get worse.
Yet, somehow, the skaters from Elmont got back into the NHL fray.
Then on February 18, Mathew Barzal went down with an injury that would sideline him for two months.
Once again the Skeptics Union figured the Isles for finished.
Well, what we know is that the lads negated the naysayers and -- even minus Magical Mat for the remainder of the season, they finished more than ten games above the .500 mark (42-31-9) and did squeeze into the playoffs.
That brand of rebound-ability was no accident.
So, yeah, we know that the Canes are ultra tough at home but we also know that the series isn't over and that the Law of Averages says the Isles are due for a win at PNC Arena.
And if, somehow, Lambert's stickhandlers can prevail, I assure you that they'll reward their fans with a win in Game Six at UBS Arena.
As for tips on how to win tonight, the powerless power play has to be repaired, presto pronto. Try these suggestions on for size:
1. Use three forwards -- not four -- on the power play and two D-men back.
2. Make sure that Ryan Pulock -- he has the best long-distance one-trimer -- is on the starting PP.
3. Don't try to carry the puck all the way in.
4. Whoever carries the puck must get it in the second he crosses the red line. Either soft into a corner or hard-around followed by a simple forecheck. Then retrieve the puck and set it up.
5. Forget the pretty plays; follow the 2002 formula; oriented toward traffic in the low slot and shots from the high slot. In a seven-game series in 2002 the team scored 11 power play goals over a seven-game series.
6. Inside the enemy zone, enough with carrying the puck around; move the puck by passing it, not skating it. Skating wastes time and gets guys out of position.
7. Finally, once the Isles have control, there should be two layers of screens in the slot. At the point either Pulock or Noah Dobson can start bombing away.
P.S. Don't try to set up the perfect play.
Try it since it might help.
Can't hurt!