Game Four Looms as the Showdown at Belmont's OK Corral. Hitting has become the name of the Islanders game as the Islanders have dominated play in each of the past three games.
If You Can't Beat 'Em In The Alley, You Can't Beat 'Em On The Ice.
Legendary Toronto hockey boss Conn Smythe echoed those words 75 years ago but they remain alive and well today when the Islanders host the Hurricanes at UBS Arena.
Carolina leads the series two games to one but the Nassaumen displayed resiliency on Friday night. The 5-1 victory not only lifted their spirits but suggest that a second straight win could be in the cards at The Stable.
"Our fans helped tilt the ice in our favor," said Matt Martin who scored the vital cushion goal after Kyle Palmieri put the Isles ahead to stay late in the third period.
What's more, Lane Lambert's stickhandlers appear to be using the Smythian dictum -- hit hard -- to better advantage than the foe from Raleigh.
Hitting has become the name of the Islanders game as the Locals have dominated play in each of the past three games. The Friday night win was at least partially the product of persistent punch resulting in a significant advantage in hits for the Nassaumen.
"We know the Islanders are here for a reason," allowed Jordan Martinook of the Canes. The reason being, they Nassaumen want this series as much as the crew from the Southland.
Exhibit A was Jean-Gabriel Pageau -- not a very big guy -- depositing Carolina's Martin Necas over the boards and on to the Islanders bench.
When Necas realized that he was in the wrong pew, Necas blamed innocent bystander Brock Nelson and punched the unexpected Islander who is recovering from a broken jaw.
Before Necas could escape unscathed, goalie Semyon Varlamov did what came naturally and tossed a right cross at the fleeing Cane. Obviously on the assumption that boys will be boys,, the referees called no penalties.
However, he zebras did penalize Anders Lee and Jalen Chatfield for their snarly scrap and the officials also managed to avert a game-ending near Pier Six riot.
Or, as one reporter observed, "It was the kind of rough stuff you see at the end of a lopsided playoff game."
No doubt, the unfriendly aura will persist in Game Four as the stakes become higher. A second straight Islander win not only would tie the tourney but swing the momentum over to Lambert's lads.
"We know every game is going to be a battle," noted Palmieri.
Then again, should the cantankerous Canes prevail, the Isles will wind up in a precarious one-more-loss-and-out situation when the clubs head South to Raleigh.
It's possible that the prime Islanders gunners -- Brock Nelson, Mathew Barzal, Bo Horvat, and Kyle Palmieri -- will have gained confidence from the friendly and raucous UBS Arena fans.
But when all is said and done, the Islanders' game plan is simple.
"We have put ourselves in a good position," captain Lee concluded.
And now they have to make the best of that "good position."