Game 4 Preview: Islanders vs. Bruins

GAME 4: ISLANDERS VS BRUINS
7:15 PM | NASSAU COLISEUM
BOSTON LEADS SERIES 2-1
WATCH: NBC | NHL.TV | CBC | SN | TVA SPORTS
LISTEN: 88.7FM | 103.9FM | 98.7FM
The most important game after a loss is the next one.
After falling 2-1 in overtime in Game 3, the New York Islanders are looking to rebound against the Boston Bruins in Game 4 of their second round series on Saturday night at Nassau Coliseum.
While the OT loss doesn't sit well with the proud group, who sent the game into overtime with Mathew Barzal's equalizer in the final six minutes of regulation, they're heading into Game 4 with a hungry mindset.

Fortunately, this group has been in this exact position - down 2-1 in a series - as they had trailed Pittsburgh in the First Round by the same count, but rallied to finish off the Penguins in six games.
The Islanders are excited for the challenge ahead and on home ice for Saturday.
"If I wasn't coaching I'd be glued to the TV every night because this is a hell of a series right now," Islanders Head Coach Barry Trotz said. "It's a physical, determined series by both teams. A Saturday night crowd at the Coliseum, Boston Bruins-New York Islanders, it doesn't get much better than that."

GET TO THE NET

Barzal's first goal of the postseason - and fifth point (1G, 4A) - wasn't on a highlight reel-finish, but rather a persistent effort that gave the Islanders a chance as he wrapped around the far side and jammed in the puck past Boston goalie Tuukka Rask. It was a playoff-type goal and further emphasized the importance of getting to the net, creating traffic and havoc on the opposing netminder.
ISLES VS BRUINS GM 4
ISLANDERS ARTICLES
Fischler: Isles Win Second Cup in 1981
Pageau and Palmieri Proving Worth in Playoffs
5 Takeaways: Isles Comeback Falls Short With 2-1 Loss In OT
ISLANDERS VIDEO
Trotz Pregame
Clutterbuck Pregame
Pelech Pregame
Game 3 Highlights
GAME EXTRAS
Talkin' Isles
Arena Safety FAQ
"They play a pretty detailed defensive game, they're a structured team," Jordan Eberle said. "They limit the 'A' chances that you get. You really have to work for what you're going to create. Whether it's forechecking hard and trying to create a chance out of threat, there's not a lot of rush plays either. You have to understand that throughout a game there's going to be a lot of it that you're just staying above guys and trying not to give up anything. When the chance does come, the key is to stay patient. If an opportunity rises, you have to finish it."
While Boston was largely able to keep the Islanders' chances to the perimeter - and vice versa - with a 41-29 shot advantage for the Bs, most of the Islanders's postseason goals have occurred around the net front and on follow-up chances.
So having a dynamic and turbulent offensive threat like Barzal crash in the paint, was an encouraging sign for the Islanders and one they hope sparks confidence among the group.
"To have success, we have to be a threat on the ice and create some momentum," Eberle said. "[Barzal] is obviously a catalyst for that and has the puck quite a bit. When he is skating and moving the puck, attacking and being dangerous, we're a dangerous line. It was great to see him get a goal. That's an offensive guy that gives you confidence and you find a little jump in your step."

STAY AWARE

While Game 3 was a defensive stalemate between both stingy teams, Boston was able to create its best looks on the fly. It's something the Islanders have expected throughout this series, where both teams are battling for inches.
Boston's initial goal on Craig Smith's opening strike, was jumpstarted on a quick counterattack following a turnover, followed by a weak side pass threaded into the slot and Smith's shot beating Semyon Varlamov high glove. Structurally, the Islanders were in good shape with all five skaters in their zone. Trotz pointed out the need to have more 'awareness' on that play in particular.
Outside of that, he emphasized the importance of limiting Boston's rushes.
"Most of their chances to me came off the rush," Trotz said. "There wasn't extended zone time. There were a couple of individual plays, but there's always going to be. I just thought a lot of their chances came off the rush."

CONTROL POSSESSION

An area the Islanders did well at in Game 3 was in the faceoff circle where they bested Boston with a 56 FOW%.
And in a game that comes down to minuscule margins, being able to obtain possession from a faceoff win is a huge plus. Every slight advantage can help especially when opportunities to capitalize do arise.
"It's the playoffs, you've got to fight for every inch," Trotz said. "Usually, it does loosen up in the second period when you have extended time with no whistles. That loosens things up because of the long chances. There's a bit more of a gap between your forwards and your D, line changes and transition and guys getting caught a little tighter on that long change. It opens things up."

ISLANDERS NOTES:

• Varlamov received his second-straight starting nod in the series. The veteran netminder made 39 saves on 41 shots in what Trotz noted was an 'outstanding performance.'
• Anthony Beauvillier's point streak came to an end at six games where the winger had totaled eight points (4G, 4A) during that span.

BOSTON NOTES

• Smith had missed Game 2 after suffering an injury in Game 1. The winger returned to his usual spot in Game 3 alongside David Krejci and Taylor Hall. His goal was his first of the series and second of the postseason.
• Brandon Carlo left the game with six minutes remaining in the period following a heavy hit from Cal Clutterbuck along the glass. Boston Head Coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed that Carlo was 'feeling good' and is labeled as day-to-day. An update on the defenseman's status will be updated following morning skate on Saturday.
UPDATE: Carlo is out on Saturday. Jarred Tinordi draws in on the blue line, his first game since the Game 5 clincher vs Washington.
• Through three games in this series, the Islanders have been unable to keep Boston's top line also known as the 'Perfection Line' of Marchand, Patrice Bergeron and David Pastrnak off the scoresheet. With Marchand's game-winner and Bergeron's assist on the play, the trio has now combined for 12 points (6G, 6A) in the series.
• Defenseman Kevan Miller will not play in Game 4 as he is still dealing with an upper-body injury. Miller skated on his own back in Boston, per Cassidy.
• For the first time this series, the Bruins did not convert on the power play. The unit went 0-for-2, with two opportunities in the third period. Boston's power play entered Game 3 having gone 3-for-4 on the PP.