Last night on Hockey Night in New York, the Canes took the Isles to the brink of elimination, going up three games to none, and just when you thought NY might bow out in a sweep, it turns out they're not done yet. Shawn Roarke of nhl.com joins Sean & Stefen to cover what's happened so far and whether the Isles can extend the series further.
Good Morning, Islanders Country.
I was at UBS Arena on Saturday afternoon, the same way I was in the building for Game 6 nearly exactly one year earlier. Last year, the day after, I wrote about the sad final scenes I experienced following the team’s season-ending overtime loss. That same possibility and fear of it happening again was present in Game 4, even as the fans did their best to bring positive vibes only.
The games in this series had been too close, too winnable for it to end in a sweep. The Islanders weren’t being dominated. They had entered the third period with a chance to win every game. They just lacked the big goal at the clutch moment.
They got it on Saturday from their franchise player.“You know a puck is going to the net, and everyone kind of holds their breath for a quick second, said Mathew Barzal after the game. “And then, when it goes in, it kind of just explodes.”
The realization that the Islanders are still down 3-1 in the series didn’t escape me or the rest of the Isles Faithful, but there was exhilaration, nevertheless knowing that the season goes on and there’s another game to look forward to.
The Canes still firmly control of this series, but they gave the Isles hope. There's not a lot of it, but it’s there. If you’re searching for a reason to feel optimistic about their chances of returning home for Game 6, realize the Isles are in a better position heading back to Raleigh for Game 5 this year than they were last, this time riding the emotional high of an OT win.
We can all think the season was over after losing Game 3, and maybe of us have, but when you’re in your seat or watching the game on TV, you realize how badly you don’t want it to be true.
The inevitable was avoided once; can they do it again? We find out on Tuesday.
Until then, enjoy having some hope.
