Game 3 Preview: Islanders at Panthers

NEW YORK ISLANDERS AT FLORIDA PANTHERS
GM 3 | AUG. 5 | 12 PM | SCOTIABANK ARENA
ISLES LEAD BEST-OF-FIVE SERIES 2-0
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The Islanders have the opportunity to close out and sweep the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of their best-of-five Stanley Cup Qualifier at 12 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Scotiabank Arena.

The Islanders took a commanding 2-0 series lead after a 4-2 victory over the Panthers in Game 2 on Tuesday, the first leg of a rare playoff back-to-back. Jordan Eberle led the Isles with two goals, including one on the power play, Matt Martin opened up scoring while Ryan Pulock also scored on the power play.
ISLES-PANTHERS GAME 3
ISLES-PANTHERS ARTICLES
Game 2 Recap
Power Play Powering Isles
Isles-Panthers Playoff Hub
ISLES-PANTHERS VIDEO
Gm 2 Recap: NYI 4, FLA 2
ISLES PLAYOFF PROMOS
Play Fan Faceoff
Playoff Auction
Playoff Getup Challenge
Playoff Beard Challenge
The Isles' performances in Game 1 and 2 have showcased their commitment to detail and structure when playing to their identity. The Isles' resilient victory in Game 2 - they scored three unanswered goals after falling behind 2-1 was emblematic of their character and will.
"I didn't have any doubts when we got into the bubble and started playing [that] we'd play with some identity," Head Coach Barry Trotz said following Game 2. "This group is led by some really good veterans, but even the add-ins - [like] Andy Greene - understands what we are. When we just understand what we are and how we have to play then we will be successful...We wanted to come here and do well, we didn't want to leave anything for chance."
Teams with a 2-0 series lead in a best-of-five series are 55-1 all time in NHL history. However the Islanders aren't taking anything for granted and are expecting a do-or-die effort from the Panthers.
"We're happy to have a 2-0 lead, hopefully we can finish the job tomorrow, you don't want to give that team any life," Martin said after Game 2. "We have to be prepared for a big one tomorrow afternoon."

CONTRIBUTIONS UP AND DOWN THE LINEUP:

The Islanders aren't a top heavy team that relies on only star players to generate offense, but instead play their best hockey when they receive contributions from all four lines and even their d-men chipping in.
Game 2 was the perfect composition of scoring variations and the importance of different players stepping up. While Eberle, Martin and Pulock all lit the lamp, the Isles reaped the benefits from having players like Tom Kuhnhackl, Andy Greene, Devon Toews and Mathew Barzal serve as catalysts for each of the Isles' goals.
"We got contributions from all of our lines," Trotz said. "You get Matt Martin scoring a goal, Eberle getting a couple through five on five and special teams. We get those contributions through our lineup, that's what we need."
So far, the Isles have five different goal scorers through two games.

STRONG SPECIAL TEAMS SHOWING:

In the series, special teams have had an impact in the outcomes of both games, but it's the Isles who've had an edge in both the power play and penalty kill. In Game 1, the Isles scored their game-winning goal on the power play and went 1-for-3. On the PK, the Isles were a perfect 1-for-1.
In Game 2, the Isles converted on two of their seven power plays and went 2-for-3 on the penalty kill.
"In playoff games when things are really tight you need your special teams to win you games and so far we've been on top of that," Eberle said.
After finishing 31st in power-play opportunities during the regular season, the Isles have generated 10 power plays in two games. Eberle said it's a product of the Islanders playing the right way.
"Creating penalties, and drawing penalties comes from being on the right side of the puck," Ebrele said. "Being in front of guys and forcing them to get their stick in or force them to take a tripping penalty. Not only that, but you have to keep the momentum and obviously the power play getting two tonight was big."

GREENE FILLS IN FOR BOYCHUK IN GAME 2:

After being plagued with injuries during the regular season, the Islanders adopted a 'Next Man Up' mentality whenever misfortune struck. The resilient mindset helped carry them throughout the season and is being utilized now in playoffs.
So, when Johnny Boychuk went down in the opening minutes of the second period of Game 1 - after being on the receiving end of an illegal check to the head - and the Isles were forced to play the remainder of the game with five defensemen, they faced the challenge head-on and showed some grit.
Boychuk missed Monday's practice and Tuesday's game, so Greene received the nod to face the Panthers in Game 2 and fill Boychuck's void. The 37-year-old left-shot defenseman was paired alongside Nick Leddy, who is also a left-shot. Greene played on his off side.
The former New Jersey Devils captain logged 16:07 TOI and blocked one shot. Greene also picked up an assist, ashe initiated the play to keep the puck in the Isles' possession - by pinching along the boards - which led to Martin's goal that put the Isles on the board in the second period.
"He's a real true pro," Trotz said of Greene. "When we acquired him, we acquired him to play big minutes, and it was a very difficult decision not to start him in Game 1, but I felt strongly that the traditional Islanders get first crack at it. Andy came in and is now an Islander. When Johnny went down, it's a great replacement… There's a reason he's had success and been in the league this long and has played against top people for the last 10 years."
Trotz did not offer an update on Boychuk's status after Game 2.

VARLAMOV 2-0 IN RETURN TO PLAYOFFS:

Semyon Varlamov has been between the pipes for Games 1 and 2 of the series. It's the first time since 2014 that the Russian netminder has actually played in a postseason game - as he was injured during Colorado's first round loss in 2018 and backed up Philipp Grubauer last year.
In two games, Varlamov has two wins and has outdueled his fellow countryman and Florida Panthers netminder, Sergei Bobrovksy. Varlamov has only allowed three goals against and made 53 saves (1.50 GAA, .946 SV%).
"I finally have the opportunity to play," Varlamov said. "Playoff hockey is the best time for the hockey players. It's nice to be a part of that."
Trotz has not announced his starter for Wednesday's Game 3. Typically during the regular season, Trotz has split his goalies in back-to-back starts and the coach has professed his belief in both Varlamov and Thomas Greiss.
Who starts remains to be seen, but Varlamov has been more than solid for the Isles thus far.
While the Islanders are carrying momentum into Game 3 and hope to finish the series off, they know how important it is to stay level-headed and not underestimate their talented opponent.
"Tomorrow is the biggest game of the series,"Ryan Pulock said after Game 2. "They are going to come with their best and we have to be prepared here to bring our best and play our game."