Isles Looking to 'Bounce Back' in Game 4

The feeling after
Wednesday afternoon's 3-2 loss to the Florida Panthers
did not sit well with the Islanders. Entering the pivotal match up 2-0 in the series the Isles had looked to sweep their best-of-five Stanley Cup Qualifier, but will now return for a Game 4 tomorrow at 12 p.m. ET.

The desperation emitted from the Panthers was no surprise, but a few self-inflicted mistakes by the Isles proved to be the deciders of Game 3. Florida capitalized twice on their series-high five power-play chances and scored the game-winner on a quick transition and a defensive miscommunication.
The loss prompted an measured and deliberate perspective from the prideful Isles, who are determined to requite the result of Game 3.
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"Everyone is going to look their self in the mirror and see what they could have done better," Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who scored the Isles opening goal, said following the loss. "That's what I'm going to do personally. I'm sure everyone will be ready to bounce back. We've got to turn the page and focus on the next game."
If the Islanders have learned anything over their 82 game season - that was catalogued with franchise record-breaking highs and lows of injuries and ruts - it's how imperative their immediate response is in the face of adversity.
Alternate captain Josh Bailey assured postgame, that the Isles will change the narrative for Game 4. It's something that the veteran core of the Islanders have learned through years of battling night-in and night-out in a league comprised of cutthroat parity. It's a lesson that the youngsters have quickly grasped and been humbled by. In short, it's evolving from previous mistakes and seizing the very next opportunity.
"Playoff hockey, it's a game of inches," said Head Coach Barry Trotz, who added that there was a high probability or a lineup change or two heading into Game 4. "It's a game of breaks, it's a game of execution [or] failed execution, a big save here, a lucky bounce here - it could change the whole complexion of a series. The best mentality you can have is that you've got to stay in the moment and play through every moment like it's the last moment."
For the Islanders, the three core values they abide by and have modeled their team culture upon are; accountability, commitment and structure.
Inside the sacred doors of the Isles dressing room, those three words serve as visual affirmations - inscribed in blue ink above the stalls to create a perimeter surrounding their coveted logo - so that no matter what situation unfolds on or off the ice, the Isles will always have their brotherhood as a constant to rely on.
"We've had different challenges and struggles throughout the years that we've been able to overcome," Brock Nelson said. "Everybody believes in one another. Everybody believes in the depth of our group that everybody can step up, chip in and get us over whatever hurdle it may be. That's part of the strength of our team is being able to rely on each and every guy up and down the lineup to do whatever is necessary at the time."

While Game 3 was full of momentum swings and distinguished by execution, the Isles have earned the advantage to be up 2-1 in the series. Reaching this stage of impassioned competition, where the outcome of every game is dependent upon the performances of each shift and every individual play, the Isles are confident in themselves. This is the moment where they want to be and the moment they want to be playing for.
"The hardest game to win in a series is the knockout game," Trotz said. "Any time you have your back against the wall, you're fighting and giving it all. You've got to have that even if you don't have your back against the wall. You've got to have that killer instinct.
"You can't look to play around this game, you have to play through this game," Trotz added. "You know that you're going to get the best of Florida. Therefore, to beat a good Florida team you need your best. You have to accept it."